Info
Voter Education
VE001
Information campaigns performed by
Question: Who conducts information campaigns for national elections (informing where, when and how to register and/or vote)?
Answer(s):
a . National Electoral Management Body d . National Government
Comments: ELection Act 714/1998, §21 (1-7)
The Population Registration Center is responsible to send out a Polling Card to all eligible voters before election day, containing information of how, when and where to vote and additional information related to the voting procedure.
ELection Act 714/1998, §22
"Insofar as this is possible, the Population Register Centre shall, in an appropriate manner and in
good time before municipal elections and elections to the European Parliament, inform all citizens
of other Member States of the European Union who fulfil the conditions laid down for the eligible
voters that these persons will, according to the information contained in the Population
Information System, have the right to vote in the elections and that they will be eligible to stand
as candidates. These persons shall also be informed of the procedure which is necessary in order
for them to exercise their right to vote and to meet the candidate eligibility requirements."
The MoJ made efforts to expand voter education and the electoral information available, including extensive website content. Personal letters were sent to all new voters, while pamphlets and booklets were sent to schools for teaching purposes. The MoJ established a presence in social media, such as Facebook, where they held a number of well-attended live question and answer sessions. Information guides were distributed in 20 languages. For the first time, candidate lists were provided on audio CD and in Braille making it possible for the visually impaired to independently study candidate lists in their district.
The Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice
Source: ELection Act 714/1998, §21 (1-7)
ELection Act 714/1998, §22
Finland: Final Election Assessment Mission Report, Parliamentary Elections, OSCE/ODIHR (2011)
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/FI/finland-final-election-assessment-mission-report/view
Official Website of the Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice: http://www.vaalit.fi/53561.htm (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
VE002
Frequency of voter education programs
Question: At the national level, how often are voter education programs conducted?
Answer:
a . Continuously
Comments: c) Information on elections is continuously updated on the Elections website of the Ministry of Justice.
The MoJ made efforts to expand voter education and the electoral information available, including extensive website content.
Source: Official Website of the Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice: http://www.vaalit.fi(2012)
Finland: Final Election Assessment Mission Report, Parliamentary Elections, OSCE/ODIHR (2011)
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/FI/finland-final-election-assessment-mission-report/view
Verified: 2018/03/16
VE003
National civic education
Question: Is there a national civic education campaign (rights and responsibilities of citizens)?
Answer(s):
a . No
Comments:
Source: Official Website of the Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice: http://www.vaalit.fi(2012)
Verified: 2018/03/16
The data on this page is continuously updated.
Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.
