Elections in Lithuania

Lithuanian women were allowed to vote by the 1918 Constitution of Lithuania and used their newly granted right for the first time in 1919.

The structure of the elections means that a large number of parties are represented in the parliament and coalition governments are common.

The Lithuanian representatives in the European Parliament, currently numbering 11, are elected using proportional representation every five years.

The voters cast a secret ballot and the elections have generally been assessed as free and fair, although allegations of irregularities have been common.

[2] Lithuania exhibits a fragmented multi-party system,[3] with a number of small parties in which coalition governments are common.

[2] The remaining 70 seats are allocated to the participating political parties proportionally to the share of vote received, using the largest remainder method.

[2] Candidates take the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the election.

The election was won by the (ex-communist) Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania, which gained 73 seats and 44% of the popular vote.

Analysts attributed the victory to the support the party found among the Russian and Polish minorities, farmers, as well as to popular dissatisfaction with the economic situation, particularly the fuel shortage.

This time, Democratic Labor Party of Lithuania suffered as a result of poor economic situation and financial scandals, including one involving former Prime Minister Adolfas Šleževičius.

[6] The election was won by the Homeland Union - Lithuanian Conservative Party, which gained 70 seats and 31% of the vote.

Rising inflation and potential economic downturn were also high on the agenda following several years of rapid growth.

The Social Democrats became the largest party in the Seimas and defeated the center-right coalition of Andrius Kubilius.

The election was a surprise victory for Peasant and Greens Union, which won 54 seats in the parliament - the largest tally by a single party in Lithuania for 20 years.

Election took place on 14 February 1993, with Brazauskas defeating Stasys Lozoraitis, a Lithuanian diplomat, who had spent almost all his life in Italy and the United States representing interwar Lithuania.

Adamkus stood for reelection in the Lithuanian presidential election, 2002–2003, which took place 22 December 2002, with the second round on 5 January 2003.

[28] Candidates take the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the election.

[48] Candidates take the seats allocated to their parties based on the preference lists submitted before the election.

Homeland Union won 4 seats in the European Parliament, compared to 3 achieved by opposition Social Democrats.

Analysts attributed the low turnout to the fact that the 2024 presidential election was held separately,[52] among other potential causes,[53] and noted that the decline in voter participation likely helped the Homeland Union.

The parliament may still take into account the results of a consultative referendum even if it is invalid due to low participation.

In June 1992, the voters demanded through referendum an immediate withdrawal of Russian troops and compensation for damages from the Soviet Union.

Individual candidates who nominate themselves file the application and place the deposits with the electoral commission of the constituency where they stand for election.

In addition, a candidate for the parliament gains immunity and may not be arrested without the consent of the Central Electoral Commission.

The Central Electoral Commission distributes the time of the broadcasts in such a manner that the principle of equality is preserved.

Postal voting is possible at specific post offices on a last Wednesday, Thursday or Friday before an election day.

Voting is available, except for municipal elections, in diplomatic missions, consular posts and on ships of the Republic of Lithuania.

[2] In such cases, the Seimas or President shall, within 48 hours, appeal to the Constitutional Court with the inquiry concerning the violation of election laws.

[16] While investigating complaints, constituency electoral committees or Central Electoral Commission may recount ballot papers, and, in the event of discrepancies, draw up an additional vote counting record of the polling district and attach it to the vote counting record of the polling district.

A citizen initiative "white gloves" (Lithuanian: "baltosios pirštinės") was formed after the allegations of vote-buying in the 2012 election to Seimas and provide additional monitoring and reporting.