17.4. Parliamentary elections

The Finnish parliamentary elections will be held on 17 April 2011. In the elections, 200 Members of Parliament are elected for a four-year term.

For the purposes of parliamentary elections, the country has been divided into 15 electoral districts. Every Finnish citizen, who has reached the age of 18 not later than on the day of the elections, is entitled to vote. Those entitled to vote receive a polling card (a notice of right to vote) by post. The address of the polling station where the voter is entitled to vote on election day is stated in the notice. Enclosed is also a list of the advance polling stations in the voter's own electoral district.

Voters may vote either on election day or in advance during the advance voting period between 6 and 12 April. Advance voting is arranged abroad from 6 to 9 April, but the voting period is shorter than this at several advance polling stations abroad.

Voters may only vote for a person who stands as a candidate in the voter's own electoral district. When voting, proof of identity must be provided. The identity card must have a photo on it.

Those entitled to vote may do so at any of the general advance polling stations in Finland or abroad. Information on the addresses and opening hours of the advance polling stations is available on the Elections website of the Finnish Ministry of Justice.

• Finnish Ministry of Justice
   
  
• Elections website
   
  

Source: Ministry for Justice