Finland: Government proposal to postpone municipal elections to Parliament

NordenBladet — The Government has submitted to Parliament a proposal to postpone the 2021 municipal elections to Sunday 13 June. The purpose of the proposal is to promote the realisation of democratic rights and to ensure health security.

The 2021 municipal elections are proposed to be held on 13 June 2021. The advance voting period would be from 26 May to 8 June in Finland and from 2 to 5 June abroad. The Government proposes that the advance voting period in Finland be exceptionally extended to two weeks. In addition, the Government proposes support for municipalities to cover the extra costs arising from the extension of the advance voting period.

The candidate applications submitted earlier would still be valid. However, it would be possible to make changes to the applications and submit new applications until 4 May.

The party secretaries of the parliamentary parties decided to propose the postponement of the municipal elections at their meeting on 6 March. The final decision on the postponement of the elections will be made by Parliament.