Russia and China are preparing to influence the outcome of the elections in Lithuania this year. Work to counter these threats is already underway.

This was stated by the Chairwoman of the Central Electoral Commission of Lithuania, Lina Petronienė, as reported by LRT.

Recently, the Director of the State Security Department of Lithuania, Darius Jauniškis, stated that China and Russia could use not only information campaigns or cyberattacks but also incidents during voting at polling stations to disrupt the electoral process or influence election results.

"Without going into details, I can say that preparations for possible threats have already begun," Petronienė said.

She mentioned ongoing cooperation between the Electoral Commission and the National Crisis Management Center, the National Cyber Security Center, and law enforcement agencies.

"We will be waiting for voters living in Lithuania at 1895 polling stations. Over the next few weeks, we will employ over ten thousand members of electoral commissions here. Undoubtedly, several training sessions have already been planned, and special instructions and additional information packages are being prepared for people who will work at the elections," Petronienė said.

In 2024, Lithuania will hold three election campaigns, with citizens electing the president, the Seimas (parliament), and representatives to the European Parliament.