Lithuanian Parliamentary Election

20 October and 10 November 1996

Elections to the Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) will take place on Sunday, 20 October 1996. The parliament has 141 members of which 71 are elected in single mandate districts and 70 by party lists. To share in the list seats a party needs to obtain a minimum of five percent of the votes while a coalition needs seven percent. Voters will also be given the opportunity to express a positive or negative opinion on each candidate in the party list they support. These ratings may result in the position of the candidate either advancing or falling in the list.

Most of the 1,348 candidates are competing in both party lists and in individual districts. A candidate winning an individual seat is removed from the party list. Since most districts have multiple candidates it appears likely that a second round between the two candidates who won the most votes will be necessary in most districts. The second round will be held on 10 November.

July 12

Last day for forming the Central Electoral Commission.

 

July 27

Last day for forming district election commissions.

 

August 16

Independent candidates can begin gathering the signatures needed to place their names on ballot. They need to gather signatures of at least 1,000 voters residing in the district in which they intend to compete.

 

August 19

Last day for parties to offer candidates to district electoral commissions.

 

August 21

Last day for forming district electoral commissions.

 

September 15

Last day individuals and parties can register as candidates.

 

September 19

The order on the ballot of the 24 parties and coalitions running in the parliament elections is determined by a random draw.

 

September 20

The election campaign officially opens.

 

October 8

Voting by mail begins.

 

October 19, 0100 hours

The official campaign ends. No more campaigning is allowed.

 

October 20, 0700 to 2100 hours

Polls are open for voting.

 

October 25

The Central Electoral Commission begins to calculate the ratings of individual candidates in the parly lists.

 

October 27

The Central Electoral Commission announces the official results of the single mandate district voting.

 

November 10, 0700 to 2100 hours

The second round of elections in districts that failed to elect candidates in first round are held.

 

November 17

The Central Electoral Commission announces final election results.

 

November 20

The victorious candidates are given their certificates as Seimas deputies.

 

November 25

Proposed date for first session of newly elected Seimas.

 

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