RIGA, June 5 (LETA) - The low turnout in these local government elections could be explained by the impact of the pandemic and the weather, Minister of Health Daniels Pavluts (For Development), the chairman of the Movement For! party told LETA.

The politician explained that as a result of the pandemic, people may still be reluctant to congregate, and thus there is a habit of not attending events or crowded places. Pavluts also admitted that the good weather on Saturday also had a negative effect on voters' willingness to vote.

The politician also disagreed with the views expressed in the public sphere that lower activity was potentially related to the administrative-territorial reform. According to him, the reform had rather the opposite effect - it stimulated the population to participate in the elections.

Pavluts also thanked all citizens who participated in the elections.

As reported, 327,938 voters or 34.01 percent of eligible voters cast their votes in this year's local government elections, according to the Central Election Commission's data.

This is the lowest voter turnout since the restoration of independence.