Info
Boundary Delimitation
BD001
Delimitation of constituencies
Question: Are constituencies delimited for election purposes?
Answer:
b . No, existing regional/provincial/other boundaries are used
Comments: For elections to the legislative body, the constituencies are drawn based on the existing provinces and municipalities, each province (apart from Helsinki which is only one municipality) containing multiple municipalities forming the different constituencies.
For presidential and European elections, all of the country is one single constituency.
Source: Vallag 2.10.1998/714, § 5
Vallag 2.10.1998/714, § 7
Verified: 2019/04/02
BD003
Criteria for drawing boundaries
Question: On what criteria are the boundaries drawn?
Answer(s):
d . Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries
Comments:
Source: Vallag 2.10.1998/714, § 5
Verified: 2019/04/02
BD005
Body responsible for drawing boundaries
Question: The body responsible for drawing the boundaries is:
Answer(s):
h . Not applicable
Comments: Existing province and municipal boundaries are used
Source: Vallag 2.10.1998/714, § 5
Verified: 2019/04/02
Electoral Systems
ES001
Head of State
Question: How is the Head of State selected?
Answer(s):
c . Directly elected in general elections (absolute majority with 2nd round if necessary)
Comments: Constitution, Section 54: "The President of the Republic is elected by a direct vote for a term of six years... The candidate who receives more than half of the votes cast in the election shall be elected President."
Source: Constitution, Section 54: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ES002
Head of Government
Question: How is the Head of Government selected?
Answer:
c . Indirectly elected by legislature/chosen by parliament
Comments: The Parliament elects the Prime Minister, who is thereafter appointed to the office by the President.
Source: Constitution, Section 61: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ES003
President
Question: Does the country have a president?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Sections 54 - 59: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ES004
Number of Chambers
Question: The national legislature consists of (one/two chambers):
Answer:
a . One chamber
Comments: Constitution, Section 24: "The Parliament is unicameral. It consists of two hundred Representatives, who are elected for a term of four years at a time."
Source: Constitution, Section 24: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ES005
Electoral System (Chamber 1)
Question: What is the electoral system for Chamber 1 of the national legislature?
Answer(s):
g . List Proportional Representation
Comments: Constitution, Section 25: "The Representatives shall be elected by a direct, proportional and secret vote."
Source: Constitution, Section 25: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
Legislative Framework
LF001
Status of Electoral Law
Question: What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Part of Constitution b . Separate legislation
Comments:
Source: Constitution: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Election Act 714/1998 as amended;
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Act on a Candidate’s Election Funding
http://www.legislationline.org/search/runSearch/1/key/election/country/32/rows/10
The Municipalities Act (365/1994)
Act on Political Parties (10/1969)
https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1969/en19690010_19920653.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/02
LF003
Electoral Law covers
Question: The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s):
a . National elections c . Local elections e . Other
Comments: OTHER: Elections for the European Parliament
"Section 1 — Scope of Application
This Act contains, in addition to provisions regarding elections contained in the Constitution and the Municipalities Act (365/1994), provisions on how to carry out:
1) the election of members to Parliament (parliamentary elections);
2) the election of the President of the Republic (the Presidential election);
3) municipal elections; and
4) the election of members to the European Parliament from Finland
(European Parliamentary elections)."
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 1
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/02
LF004
Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question: Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s):
a . Voting is voluntary
Comments: In parliamentary elections, the Presidential election and European Parliamentary elections, every Finnish citizen is entitled to vote provided the person has reached the age of 18 not later than on the day of the election. In the Presidential election, the voting age must be reached not later than on the day of the first round of the Presidential election.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 2
Verified: 2019/04/02
LF007
Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question: What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s):
a . Judiciary
Comments: The appeal shall be sent to a competent Provincial Administrative Court within 14 days from the confirmation of the election results. In European Parliamentary elections, the appeal is, however, always sent to the Provincial Administrative Court of Uusimaa.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 102, para. 1
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
Electoral Management
EM002
Responsibility of national EMB
Question: Does the national electoral body have the responsibility for elections at:
Answer(s):
a . National level c . Local level
Comments: The responsibility is decentralised, but the Ministry of Justice is the highest electoral body in Finland.
"Section 10 — Consideration of election affairs in the Council of State
In the Council of State, the Ministry of Justice shall act as the highest election authority."
Section 11 — Electoral district committee
The State Provincial Office shall, in good time before parliamentary elections, appoint an electoral district committee for each electoral district referred to in section 5. Its term of office shall continue until a new committee has been appointed. The committee is appointed by the State Provincial Office in whose province the committee meetings are held.
website: The Ministry of Justice is responsible for promoting and monitoring electoral and participatory rights.The Ministry of Justice is the highest electoral authority in Finland and it directs the holding of national and municipal elections and referendums.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 10-13
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714.pdf
Finland Website of Ministry of Justice:
http://oikeusministerio.fi/en/areas-of-expertise
Verified: 2019/04/02
EM004
EMB budget determined by
Question: The budget of the national electoral management body is determined by:
Answer(s):
c . The legislature d . A national government department h . No information available
Comments: It is likely that the Ministry of Justice proposes its own budget, which is approved by Parliament.
Source: Official Website of the Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice: http://www.vaalit.fi (2012)
Verified: 2018/03/16
EM005
EMB expenditures controlled by
Question: The expenditures of the national electoral management body are controlled by:
Answer(s):
d . A national government department
Comments: "The National Audit Office has monitored election funding since 1 May 2009"
Source: Official website of the Parliament: https://www.eduskunta.fi/EN/kansanedustajat/eduskuntavaalit/Pages/default.aspx
Verified: 2019/04/02
EM006
Term of EMB members
Question: The term of the members of the national electoral management body is:
Answer:
c . For an unspecified period
Comments: At the local level, there are permanent election management bodies appointed for four-year terms by the regional state administration, providing institutional continuity. There are Election District Committees (EDCs) in each of the 15 electoral constituencies and Municipal Central Election Committees (MCECs) in each of the 336 municipal councils. The election administration at the lower level is multi-party, appointed on the basis of nominations from registered political parties that participated in previous parliamentary elections. Each administration consists of a chairperson, a deputy chairperson, three members and an adequate number of substitute members.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report Parliamentary Elections 2011, p. 7
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/FI/finland-final-election-assessment-mission-report/view
Verified: 2018/03/15
EM012
Electoral Management model
Question: What is the Electoral Management model?
Answer:
a . Governmental
Comments:
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 10
Verified: 2019/04/02
EM013
Number of EMB members
Question: The EMB is composed of:
Answer:
d . Other
Comments: The State Provincial Office shall, in good time before parliamentary elections, appoint an electoral district committee for each electoral district referred to in section 5. Its term of office shall continue until a new committee has been appointed. The committee is appointed by the State Provincial Office in whose province the committee meetings are held.
The electoral district committee consists of a chairperson, deputy chairperson and three other members and four deputy members. Both the members and deputy members shall, if possible, represent the political parties which in the previous parliamentary elections nominated candidates and were registered in the register of political parties in the electoral district. The member or deputy member who, according to the candidate application received by the committee, have been nominated as a candidate by a party or a constituency association cannot participate in the work of the committee in the elections in question.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 11
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714.pdf
OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report Parliamentary Elections 2011, p. 7
http://aceproject.org/ero-en/regions/europe/FI/finland-final-election-assessment-mission-report/view
Verified: 2019/04/02
EM014
Membership based on
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected on the basis of their:
Answer:
e . No Information Available
Comments: "Guidelines on the mechanisms for nominating electoral committee members could be considered to promote consistency and minimize bias. "
There is nothing in the legal framework on this. The above is from an OSCE observation report
Source: REPUBLIC OF FINLAND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 17 April 2011
OSCE/ODIHR Election Assessment Mission Report p. 8
http://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries-and-territories/FI/default?set_language=en
Verified: 2018/03/16
EM015
Question: The EMB members/commissioners are selected by:
Answer(s):
c . Executive
Comments: -- It appears that election commissioners are selected by the Ministry of Justice, part of the Government--
The State Provincial Office shall, in good time before parliamentary elections, appoint an electoral district committee for each electoral district referred to in section 5. Its term of office shall continue until a new committee has been appointed. The committee is appointed by the State Provincial Office in whose province the committee meetings are held.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 11
http://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714.pdf
Official Website of the Election Unit of the Ministry of Justice: http://www.vaalit.fi/53561.htm (2012)
Verified: 2018/03/15
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
Voter Registration
VR001
Voting age
Question: What is the legal voting age in the national elections?
Answer:
c . 18
Comments: Every Finnish citizen who has reached eighteen years of age has the right to vote in national elections and referendums. Specific provisions in this Constitution shall govern the eligibility to stand for office in national elections.
Source: Constitution, Section 14: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
VR002
Other voting requirements
Question: Beyond age, what other qualifications exist for registering to vote and voting in the national elections?
Answer(s):
a . Citizenship
Comments: a) Finnish citizenship
Source: Constitution, Section 14: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
VR004
Authority responsible for voter registration
Question: Which is the authority responsible for the registration of voters for national elections?
Answer:
a . Central Government Department (specify)
Comments: The Population Register Centre establishes, no later than on the 46th day before the election day,
a register where each person who according to the Population Information System has the right to
vote in the upcoming elections is entered in (voting register).
--under control of the ministry of finance--
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 18 (1)
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_Register_Centre_(Finland)
Verified: 2019/04/02
VR008
Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Question: Is it compulsory to be on the voters register?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Section 18 — The Population Register Centre shall establish a register at least 46 days prior to the polling day in which each person is entered who, according to the Population Information System, has the right to vote in the upcoming elections
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 18
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
Parties and Candidates
PC001
Registration requirements for parties (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the registration requirements for political parties running for national elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Signature requirement (specify requirement) f . Other
Comments: Act on Political Parties, §2
(1) An association may upon written application be entered in the Party Register as a
political party if
(1) its main object is to influence state matters,
(2) it has signed support cards of at least 5000 citizens entitled to vote in
parliamentary elections,
(3) the rules and regulations of the association guarantee that democratic principles
are abided by in decision-making and in the activities of the association and
(4) the association has drafted a party programme, which takes up the goals and
principles followed in the national activities, whose final objective is mentioned in
the rules and regulations.
Source: Act on Political Parties, 10/1969, §2 (1-4)
Verified: 2019/04/02
PC003
Registration requirements for candidates (Chamber 1)
Question: What are the legal qualifications to become a candidate at legislative elections (Chamber 1)?
Answer(s):
a . Age b . Citizenship j . Other
Comments: Everyone with the right to vote and who is not under guardianship can be a candidate in parliamentary elections.
A person holding military office cannot, however, be elected as a Representative.
The Chancellor of Justice of the Government, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, a Justice of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court, and the Prosecutor-General cannot serve as representatives. If a Representative is elected President of the Republic or appointed or elected to one of the aforesaid offices, he or she shall cease to be a Representative from the date of appointment or election. The office of a Representative shall cease also if the Representative forfeits his or her eligibility.
Source: Constitution, Section 27: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
PC008
Independent candidates
Question: Can independent candidates compete in presidential or legislative elections?
Answer(s):
e . In both presidential and legislative elections
Comments: Section 119 — Number of members in a constituency association and drafting a charter
Founding a constituency association in order to nominate a candidate in parliamentary elections requires at least 100 voters from the same electoral district.
Section 134 — Application for candidacy submitted by a constituency association
An application for candidacy submitted by a constituency association must include:
1) the candidate’s name and title, profession or occupation using no more than two expressions, and municipality of residence; the name by which the candidate is generally known or an abbreviation of the first name can be used along with or instead of the proper first name; the application may not contain any other information about the candidate except if this is necessary in order to clarify the candidate’s identity and
2) the candidate’s consent, including the candidate’s personal identity code and signature, to standing as presidential candidate for the constituency association and consent to accepting the office of president.
The constituency association charter and supporter forms referred to in section 130 must be attached to the application.
The constituency association election representative must date and sign the application and in it confirm that the supporter forms have been personally signed by the members of the constituency association.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 119, 132, 134
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
PC012
Public funding of parties
Question: Do political parties receive direct/indirect public funding?
Answer(s):
b . Direct
Comments: Section 9 (1) Within the limits of the State budget, a political party represented in the Parliament may be granted party subsidy from government funds to finance the party’s public activities specified in its rules and regulations and the party programme. Party subsidy is allocated to the parties in accordance with the number of parliamentary seats each party has gained in the latest parliamentary elections. If, during the period between parliamentary elections and before the publication of the State budget every budgetary year, at least half of a certain party’s parliamentary representatives have notified the Speaker of the Parliament that they cease to represent the party in question in the Parliament, the allocation of the subsidy shall be adjusted to correspond with the changed situation. (1/1973)
--there does not seem to be provisions for public funding in campagin financing specifically--
section 2, para. 2: A candidate’s election funding may consist of: 1) the candidate’s own funds and any loans taken out by the candidate for the campaign; 2) campaign contributions received by the candidate, his or her support group or other entity operating exclusively for the purpose of promoting the candidate; and 3) other campaign contributions.
Source: Act on Political Parties, 10/1969, as amended, section 9 (1)
Act on a Candidate’s Election Funding (273/2009), section 2
Verified: 2019/04/02
PC015
Question: What is the basis of the public funding?
Answer(s):
c . Based on current legislative representation
Comments: Party subsidy is allocated to the parties in accordance with the number of parliamentary seats each party has gained in the latest parliamentary elections. If, during the period between parliamentary elections and before the publication of the State budget every budgetary year, at least half of a certain party’s parliamentary representatives have notified the Speaker of the Parliament that they cease to represent the party in question in the Parliament, the allocation of the subsidy shall be adjusted to correspond with the changed situation.
Source: Act 10/1969 on Political Parties as amended, Section 9: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1969/en19690010.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
PC017
Question: Are political parties entitled to private funding?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments:
Act on a Candidate’s Election Funding, section 2 (2)
A candidate’s election funding may consist of: 1) the candidate’s own funds and any loans taken out by the candidate for the campaign; 2) campaign contributions received by the candidate, his or her support group or other entity operating exclusively for the purpose of promoting the candidate; and 3) other campaign contributions.
Source:
Act on a Candidate’s Election Funding, 273/2009, section 2 (2)
Act on Political Parties, 10/1969, section 8, 9
Verified: 2019/04/02
Vote Counting
VC004
Votes are sorted/counted at
Question: Following the close of the voting, where are the votes first sorted and counted?
Answer:
a . The polling stations
Comments: After the chairperson or the deputy chairperson of the election committee has announced that the polling day voting has ended, the ballot papers are without delay to be taken from the ballot box and counted. Similarly, the number of the people that have used their right to vote during the polling day is counted, according to the entries made in the electoral roll or the voting register.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 78
https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1998/en19980714_20040218.pdf
Verified: 2019/04/02
VC011
When are ballots recounted?
Question: Under what conditions are ballots recounted?
Answer(s):
b . Always recounted
Comments: On the Monday following the election day at 12.00 at the latest, a recount of the election day
votes and checking of the calculations made by the election boards and, in cases referred to in
section 82, subsection 4, the calculations by the central municipal election boards shall be
commenced. In the recount of the votes, it shall be decided which votes for a candidate are
regarded as valid and which votes are disregarded as invalid.
The valid votes for each candidate given both in the advance voting and on election day shall be
counted.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 87
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
Media and Elections
ME037
Criteria for allocating free broadcast time
Question: What are the criteria for allocating free broadcast time and/or free printed advertisement space to political parties?
Answer(s):
c . Based on result of previous election
Comments: Section 10
(1) State authorities and the State or an organisation or a body governed by the State must treat all political parties equally and following uniform criteria.
(2) Oy Yleisradio Ab (Finnish Broadcasting Company) may, when it applies the provisions in subsection 1, take into account aspects relating to public service programming. (653/1992)
"Overall, the media concentrated coverage on the parties represented in the outgoing parliament. YLE’s campaign-related TV and radio broadcasts provided significant airtime in electoral debates and interviews for representatives from the eight parliamentary parties"
--There is ultimately not a lot of information in the legal framework on the allocation of free broadcast time--
Source: Act 10/1969 on Political Parties as amended, Section 10
https://www.finlex.fi/en/laki/kaannokset/1969/en19690010_19920653.pdf
OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS assessment mission report - Parliamentary Elections in Finland (17 April 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/75599 (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ME059
Television debates
Question: Are televised debates between candidates or party representatives normally conducted?
Answer(s):
a . Yes, in presidential elections b . Yes, in legislative elections
Comments: "The legislation does not envisage official campaign period. All political parties met with by the
ODIHR NAM intend to campaign actively, including through online and social media, as well as
to participate in debates organized by the public broadcaster." (OSCE/ODIHR 2019)
"There are no legal regulations on the media coverage of the presidential campaign and media are
largely self-regulated. The YLE’s operations are governed by the 1993 Act on Yleisradio Oy which
requires the public broadcaster to “support democracy and everyone’s opportunity to participate by
providing a wide variety of information, opinions and debates as well as opportunities to interact.” (OSCE/ODIHR 2018)
Source: OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assesment Mission Report, Republic of Finland, Parliamentary Elections, 14 April 2019
OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report, Republic of Finland Presidential Election, 28 January 2018
https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/finland/359301?download=true
OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS assessment mission report - Parliamentary Elections in Finland (17 April 2011): http://www.osce.org/odihr/75599 (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ME062
Blackout period for release of opinion poll results.
Question: What is the blackout period, if any, during which results of pre-election opinion polls may not be released to the public?
Answer:
h . Not applicable
Comments: There is no legal regulation of the media coverage of the campaign, no campaign silence period, no conditions for publishing opinion polls, and no rules concerning paid advertising in the media. In practice, however, the broadcast and print media appear to follow good practices for election coverage in the above-mentioned areas, based on self-regulation mechanisms, including a ban on publicizing opinion polls on the eve of the elections, an end to campaign coverage on election day, and respect for equal treatment of the parties in setting the conditions for paid advertising in the media.
Source: OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS assessment mission report - Parliamentary Elections in Finland (17 April 2011): p. 15
http://www.osce.org/odihr/75599 (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
ME080
Question: Is there a maximum amount that a political party is permitted to spend on paid advertising during a campaign period?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: The legislation does not impose expenditure ceilings on either parties or candidates. Local media and OSCE/ODIHR EAM interlocutors estimated that each of the major parties spent 11.5 million EUR on the 2011 campaign, and that most candidates spent extensively from their own personal resources with many of the more well-known candidates spending over 10,000 EUR and as much as 50,000 EUR.31 The level of spending was said to be about the same as in the 2007 parliamentary election.32
Source: OSCE/ODIHR NEEDS assessment mission report - Parliamentary Elections in Finland (17 April 2011): p. 12
http://www.osce.org/odihr/75599 (2012)
Verified: 2018/03/16
Direct Democracy
DD002
Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Section 2
The powers of the State in Finland are vested in the people, who are represented by the Parliament.
Section 53: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters.
Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act.
At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act. (1112/2011, entry into force 1.3.2012)
Source: Constitution, Section 2, Section 14, section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD003
Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Section 14, 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD004
Optional referendums (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters.
Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD005
Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD006
Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments: There are no legal provisions for agenda initiatives, but it appears that Finnish citizens petition the legislature anyway.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) p. 84
http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2018/03/16
DD007
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer:
b . No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2018/03/16
DD129
Question: Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer:
c . Never binding
Comments: Section 53 – Referendum and citizens’ initiative (new title, 1112/2011, entry into force 1.3.2012)
The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of
the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters.
Source: Constitution, Section 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD130
Question: Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer:
c . Both constitutional and other issues
Comments: section 53: The decision to organise a consultative referendum is made by an Act, which shall contain provisions on the time of the referendum and on the choices to be presented to the voters.
Provisions concerning the conduct of a referendum are laid down by an Act.
At least fifty thousand Finnish citizens entitled to vote have the right to submit an initiative for the enactment of an Act to the Parliament, as provided by an Act.
Source: Constitution, Section 14, 53: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2019/04/02
DD131
Question: Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer:
a . Yes
Comments: Section 14: Every Finnish citizen and every foreigner permanently resident in Finland, having attained eighteen years of age, has the right to vote in municipal elections and municipal referendums, as provided by an Act. Provisions on the right to otherwise participate in municipal government are laid down by an Act.
Section 30
Municipal referenda
The council can decide to hold a referendum on any matter resting with the local authority.
Referenda are advisory.
A referendum can be held on a matter concerning the whole area of the local authority or some component area. Said component area shall then comprise one or more voting districts as referred to in the Act on Municipal Elections.
All persons entitled to vote shall have an equal voting right. Voting shall be confidential. There are separate provisions on the procedure to be followed in a municipal referendum.
Section 31
Referendum proposals
Local residents representing at least five per cent of those entitled to vote may propose a referendum. The council shall decide without delay whether to hold a referendum as proposed.
Source: Constitution, Section 14: http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/kaannokset/1999/en19990731.pdf (2012);
Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) pp. 86
https://www.idea.int/sites/default/files/publications/direct-democracy-the-international-idea-handbook.pdf
Act on the procedure for holding municipal consultative referenda (656/1990)http://www.legislationline.org/documents/id/6030
Verified: 2019/04/02
Voting Operations
VO003
Electors vote at
Question: Where can electors vote?
Answer(s):
b . At any polling station in the same voting district d . At specially designated polling stations f . By mail j . Other
Comments: Section 9: In advance polling stations
Section 21 (3)the information stating in which election and voting district or municipality the recipient of the card is entitled to vote;
Section 67 — Conducting the polling day voting
The polling day voting is conducted simultaneously in all municipalities in its voting districts. A enfranchised person is only allowed to vote in the voting district marked in the voting register next to his or her name.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 21 & 67, advance polling: section 9 and Chapter 5
Verified: 2019/04/02
VO004
Voting outside the country is permitted for
Question: Who can vote from outside the country?
Answer(s):
b . Citizens residing outside the country c . Citizens outside the country (including those on vacation) d . Members of the armed forces e . Students f . Diplomatic staff
Comments: Section 46 — Right to vote in advance
Every enfranchised person is entitled to vote in advance in the general advance voting polling stations in Finland and in the Finnish diplomatic missions abroad.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 46
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
VO005
Locations for voting outside of the country
Question: If voting outside the country is permitted, at what places?
Answer(s):
a . Embassies b . Consulates e . By mail f . Other
Comments: 2) in a Finnish diplomatic mission on each day specified by the Head of Representation, with the exception of Easter Sunday, Whitsunday, Midsummer Day, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and Boxing Day;
3) in an institution with a minimum of one day and a maximum of two days during the times specified by the election commission;
4) on board a Finnish ship with a minimum of one day during the times specified by the master of the ship;
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 48
http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/5672
Verified: 2019/04/02
VO011
Voting method
Question: How do electors cast their votes?
Answer(s):
a . Manually marking of ballots
Comments: The voter must mark the number of the candidate he or she is giving his or her vote to in the ballot in such a manner that there can be no uncertainty as to whom he or she has voted for. The mark must be made in the voting booth so that the secrecy of the ballot is maintained.
Source: Election Act 714/1998 as amended, Section 76 (2)
Verified: 2019/04/02
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