Under the Constitution, Finland is divided into municipalities whose administration is based on self-government. Municipalities make decisions on many issues that concern their residents. The highest decision-making body in a municipality is a council elected by residents. The council members, or councillors, are elected for four years at a time in a municipal election. This year, elections were celebrated last 9th April.

In municipal elections, Finnish citizens and, under certain conditions, citizens of other countries living in the municipality may vote and stand as a candidates. Voting in Finland is voluntary.

Voting dates

Municipal elections were held in Finland on 9 April 2017 with advance voting between 29 March and 4 April.. At certain advance polling stations, the voting time is shorter than this. You may vote in advance at any advance polling station in Finland or abroad. The following function as advance polling stations:  

-in Finland, advance polling stations designated by each municipality, for example municipal agencies or post offices  

-a number of Finnish missions abroad  

-certain institutions, such as hospitals, units of social welfare services and prisons. Only persons who are patients or inmates at these institutions may vote at these polling stations.  

-Finnish ships that are abroad during the advance voting period. Only the crew members may cast their votes onboard. This right does not apply to the passengers.

Voting on election day: On the election day, Sunday, 9 April 2017, you may vote at 09.00–20.00. On the election day, you may only vote in the municipality and at the polling station that is indicated on the polling card sent to you.

Voting at home: If your ability to move or function is restricted to the extent that you cannot reach the polling station without unreasonable difficulty, you may vote at home during the advance voting period.

VOTER TURNOUT

Whole country: 58.9%

People entitled to vote:

men: 2,143,986

women: 2,247,572

in all: 4,391,558

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