Liepāja Election Commissioners to Receive 12.5% More for Admitting They Don't Know What's Happening

The Central Election Commission proudly announced that in this year's parliamentary elections, committee members will receive 12.5% more for sitting in polling stations and counting votes. This means that for nine euros per hour, you can now enjoy the pleasure of having a pensioner spend an hour explaining why they can't find their name on the list.

CEC Secretary Ritvars Eglājs, who is apparently the only person in the country who understands the election financing system, explained that municipalities finance their own elections, while the state finances its own. This is roughly like having Liepāja's tram pay for its own tracks while the train pays for its own. Logical as always.

Surprising to no one, Riga's election committee chairman will receive 17 euros per hour — the most of all. In Liepāja, of course, it will be less because we don't have as many polling stations. But we have Karosta and a tram, which is much more valuable than an extra two euros per hour.

"Finally I'll have money to buy coffee after a 12-hour workday at the polling station," comments Ziemupe from Grobiņa municipality. "Now I can afford not just 'Nescafe,' but even 'Jacobs.'" Such is the face of our country's economic growth — changing coffee brands.

The parliamentary elections will take place in autumn, when Liepāja will have exactly the kind of weather that makes you wonder if you really need to go vote. But with the new rates, at least committee members will be able to afford warm tea between vote counting.