Presidential elections: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Presidential elections
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
Statistics on Presidential elections describe numbers and shares of votes cast for presidential candidates in advance voting and on the actual election day and data on numbers of persons entitled to vote and those who voted. The data are obtained from the Election Information System of the Ministry of Justice and published every six years.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
The statistics cover the candidates in the Presidential election and eligible voters.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
Statistical units are:
- candidate (person)
- person elected
- person entitled to vote
- voters (person)
- advance voters (person)
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
The population of the statistics is the candidates nominated for the elections and persons entitled to vote in the elections.
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The data cover the whole of Finland at the level of constituencies, municipalities and voting districts.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
The data in the statistics cover only the time of the elections concerned. In the statistics, time series on voting turnout are published by combining different data sets.
Data published after the recount of votes are final.
Base period (SIMS 3.9)
Does not apply to statistics.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
The units of measure used in the statistics are the number of persons (candidates and persons entitled to vote), the number of votes cast and the number of voters.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The statistics describe the year 2024 (January).
Classifications (SIMS 3.2)
The following classifications are used in the statistics on Presidential elections:
- Regional classifications: Constituency, Municipality, Voting district
- Population classifications: Occupation, Language, Education, Family status, Marital status, Socio-economic group, Sex
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Advance polling stations
Advance polling stations include: 1) general advance polling stations in Finland laid down in a Decree 2) Finnish diplomatic missions set out by a decree 3) hospitals and prisons (institutions) 4) Finnish ships 5) a voter's residence (subject to certain preconditions) 6) Postal voting (Persons living or staying abroad during the entire advance voting period and on election day may vote by post from abroad in general elections)
Advance votes
The valid and invalid ballots taken into account in the advance voting. As a rule, advance votes are counted on the actual election day, Sunday, at 15.00 pm. The count may be advanced in large electoral districts; the earliest possible starting time is at 12 noon. The objective is to finish the counting of advance votes by 20.00 pm, from which time onwards advance data can be released.
Advance voting
Advance voting is conducted in all general elections both in Finland and abroad. The Election Act (section 46, subsection 1) decrees that 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. On election day an enfranchised person may vote only in the polling station of his/her own voting district. A voter need not give grounds for advance voting, but may freely choose between voting in advance or voting on the election day. Advance voting commences on the 11th and ends on the 8th day before the election day both in Finland and abroad.
Advance voting percentage
The percentage of voters who voted in advance = their share of all voters. In Statistics Finland statistics the share is calculated from all persons who voted. On the Ministry of Justice's Internet pages the percentage is calculated from all persons entitled to vote.
Comparative index
Parliamentary elections, European Parliamentary elections, municipal elections and county elections: The order of candidates belonging to a party that is not in an electoral alliance or to a joint electoral list is determined by the number of votes cast for them personally. The candidates are assigned a comparative index. For the first candidate on a party list or a joint electoral list the comparative index is the total number of votes cast for the party or joint electoral list, the second candidate's comparative index is one-half of that and the third candidate's one-third etc. The comparative indices of the candidates from parties belonging to an electoral alliance are based on the total number of votes cast for the electoral alliance. The comparative index of a candidate not belonging to a joint electoral list is the total number of votes cast for him/her personally.
Constituency
The division into constituencies refers to the regional division of seats to be filled in the election. County elections: In county elections the constituency is the wellbeing services county. Parliamentary elections: For the purpose of parliamentary elections, the country has been divided into constituencies on the basis of regions. In parliamentary elections the seats in parliament are allocated to constituencies according to a Government decision. According to law, one representative is elected from the Ahvenanmaa constituency and the remaining 199 seats are allocated proportionally to the other constituencies according to their population of Finnish citizens. Other elections: The whole country is one single constituency in Presidential elections and in the European Parliamentary elections. Municipalities are the constituencies of municipal elections. Therefore, when counting the votes in these elections, seats are not allocated to different regions. All statistics do, however, present results also by constituency in order to maintain the comparability of different elections.
Constituency association
The basic unit (in addition to political parties) for nominating candidates in parliamentary elections, European Parliamentary elections, the Presidential election, municipal elections and county elecions. (See nomination of candidates.)
Election Act
The new comprehensive Election Act was approved in the Presidential Session of 2 October 1998. The Act contains both the common procedural provisions on different elections and the specific provisions on all general elections. The Act replaced the earlier separate Acts on parliamentary elections, the Presidential Election, municipal elections and the European Parliamentary elections. The new Election Act was applied for the first time in the Parliamentary elections of 1999. The new division into constituencies based on the division into regions was applied for the first time in the Parliamentary elections held in spring 2003. In all elections related concepts the date of ratification is considered to be the first day of being in force. After its entry into force, the new Act has been applied to all general elections.
Entitled to vote
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 no 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. In European Parliamentary elections, a citizen of another European Union Member State is also entitled to vote provided the person has reached the age of 18 no later than on the day of the election and whose municipality of residence referred to in the Municipality of Residence Act (201/1994) is in Finland provided the person has not lost the right to vote in European elections in the country of which he/she is a citizen (Election Act, Section 2). Entitled to vote in municipal elections and in county elections are citizens of Finland or another member state of European Union as of Iceland and Norway who have reached the age of 18 not later than on the day of the election, and whose municipality of residence, as defined by law, is in the Finnish Population Information System is the municipality in question on the 51st day before election day. The right to vote in municipal elections and in county elections is also to other foreign nationals meeting the above conditions, if he has had a place of domicile in Finland for at least two years. (Municipality of residence Act 26§).
Invalid ballots
The provisions on invalid ballots are in section 85 of the Election Act. Grounds for invalidity are 1) the ballot envelope contains something else or more than one ballot paper 2) the ballot envelope has an unauthorised mark 3) something other than a ballot paper printed by the Ministry of Justice has been used as the ballot paper 4) the ballot paper has not been stamped 5) the candidate's number has been written unclearly 6) the elector's name or distinctive identification or some other inappropriate marking has been made on the ballot paper. In addition to the above, statistics are compiled also on the number of empty ballots.
Nomination of candidates
County elections The candidates are nominated for the entire wellbeing services county, voters only vote for the candidates in their own wellbeing services county and the result is calculated for each wellbeing services county. Parliamentary elections: Parliamentary election candidates can be nominated by registered political parties and constituency associations established by at least 100 persons entitled to vote. When nominating candidates two or more political parties have the right to form an electoral alliance by mutual agreement. Correspondingly, two or more constituency associations have the right to form a joint electoral list. Each party, electoral alliance or joint electoral list can nominate a maximum of 14 candidates in each electoral district. If, by virtue of a Government decision, more than 14 candidates are elected from an electoral district, the number of candidates may be at most the number of candidates elected from that electoral district. Municipal elections: Municipal election candidates can be nominated by political parties and a minimum of 10 persons entitled to vote, who have established a constituency association. When nominating candidates two or more political parties have the right to form an electoral alliance by mutual agreement. Correspondingly, two or more constituency associations have the right to form a joint electoral list. A party, an electoral alliance or a joint electoral list can nominate at most one and a half times as many candidates as there are places for elected representatives. European Parliamentary elections: European Parliamentary election candidates can be nominated by registered political parties and constituency associations established by at least 2,000 persons entitled to vote. When nominating candidates two or more political parties have the right to form an electoral alliance by mutual agreement. Correspondingly, two or more constituency associations have the right to form a joint electoral list. Each party, electoral alliance or joint electoral list can nominate a maximum of 20 candidates in each country. Presidential elections: Candidates may be nominated in Presidential elections by 1) a political party, from whose list of candidates at least one representative was elected in the most recent Parliamentary elections or 2) at least 20,000 persons entitled to vote, who have established a constituency association. A political party or a constituency association may nominate only one candidate. Political parties and constituency associations may nominate the same candidate.
Party
A party is an association which has been registered in the register of political parties maintained by the Ministry of Justice. Parties are voluntary associations whose main purpose is to influence the handling of the affairs of the state. Membership is usually gained through the party's local association.
Presidential election
According to the Finnish Constitution (section 54) the President of the Republic is elected by a direct vote for a term of six years. The President shall be a native-born Finnish citizen. The candidate who receives more than half of the votes cast in the election shall be elected President. If none of the candidates has received a majority of the votes cast, a new election shall be held between the two candidates who have received most votes. In the new election, the candidate receiving the most votes is elected President. The first round of the Presidential election shall be held on the third Sunday of January of the sixth year after the year in which the previous President of the Republic was inaugurated. If a second round of elections is required, this shall be held on the second Sunday after the first round of Presidential elections.
Proportional elections
In proportional elections each party (or other group) gains representative seats in relation to the number of votes cast for it compared with the votes cast for other groups. If, for instance, a party gains 20 per cent of the votes cast, it should also gain 20 per cent of the available seats. Presidential elections are not proportional, as the votes are cast for individual candidates and not for parties.
Voting turnout
Voting percentage = proportion of voters of persons entitled to vote. Statistics on general elections include four different voting percentages: 1) the voting percentage of Finnish citizens resident in Finland 2) the voting percentage of Finnish citizens resident abroad 3) the total voting percentage which includes both of the above 4) a separate percentage for persons belonging to group 2 above and living in Sweden. In European Parliamentary elections a voting percentage is calculated also for citizens of other EU Member States. In municipal elections the right to vote is not based on Finnish citizenship, but on municipality of residence (See Entitled to vote). In municipal elections voting percentages by nationality of foreign voters are presented in addition to the total voting percentage: EU Member State, Iceland and Norway, Other country. (See also Advance voting percentage). The right to vote in county elections is determined in the same way as in municipal elections, their municipality of residence is a municipality belonging to the wellbeing services county.
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
The data are not shared between other statistical offices or units.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
The data set is based on administrative sources.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
Basic data are collected in connection with the presidential election, i.e. normally every six years.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
The data are obtained from different registers. The main source of the data is the Ministry of Justice and the Legal Register Centre operating under it. The voting register is obtained through the Ministry of Justice, its original source is the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
The data are validated in the production process by comparing the data with data published by other data producers and by examining the internal logic of the data.
Data compilation (SIMS 18.5)
In the statistics, the data are processed by summing them. The statistics on the phenomenon described in the statistics do not require editing or imputation, for example.
User needs (SIMS 12.1)
The key users of the statistics are citizens, the media, organisations, political actors (candidates, representatives, political parties) and research institutes.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
The main possible sources of error in the statistics are errors in the source data or errors in the processing of the data.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
The quality of the statistics on Presidential elections is assessed continuously in connection with the production of the statistics. The produced data are compared with the data produced by other data producers and the materials and the produced data are controlled for logic.
Data revision - policy (SIMS 17.1)
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
Data on the confirmed result of the election is published approximately one week after the confirmation of the election result.
Data on the votes cast in the election is published around 4 to 5 weeks after the confirmation of the election result.
Punctuality (SIMS 14.2)
For the 2024 Presidential election, the data were produced and published within the planned timetable.
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
Within the country, different regions are comparable so that the legislation affecting the phenomenon is consistent.
The statistics are comparable across countries insofar as they reflect the process of electing the country’s head of state. At a more detailed level, the differences between countries are considerable, not only because of differences in practices, structures and legislation, but also because of differences in the role and status of the head of state in different countries.
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
In principle, the statistics are comparable for the whole time series (starting from 1925). At a conceptual level, matters related to the selection of candidates, voting turnout and other key factors have not substantially changed.
In practice, several changes have taken place in legislation in the time series (1925 to 2018) (e.g. changes related to voting rights) which may limit the comparability of data.
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
There are no other statistics relating to the matter and no other statistics are produced on it.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Release calendar access (SIMS 8.2)
Statistics Finland's release calendar Future publications
Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The frequency of dissemination of the data depends on the frequency of elections. According to the normal schedule, Presidential elections are held at six-year intervals, so the frequency of dissemination of the statistics is every six years.
News release (SIMS 10.1)
The release is published on the election year on the home page of the statistics.
Online database (SIMS 10.3)
The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
In the statistics, data from constituencies where the number of persons entitled to vote/the number of voters remains below a specified threshold are protected. In the case of such voting districts, persons entitled to vote/persons who voted in the area in question are presented in connection with another voting district in the same municipality.