Electoral rights of foreign nationals in municipal elections of Finland 🗳️

In municipal elections of Finland, entitled to vote are Finnish citizens who reach the age of 18 years on election day at the latest and reside in Finland. In addition, entitled to vote are:

1) citizens of other EU Member States, Iceland and Norway residing in Finland, under the same conditions as Finnish citizens; and 

2) citizens of other states if they have resided continuously in Finland for at least two (2) years on the 51st day before election day, when the voting register for municipal elections is established.

No one needs to separately register to be entered in the voting register for municipal elections. Instead, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency compiles the register by virtue of office, based on the information entered in the Finnish Population Information System for each individual.

Tarik Ahsanullah

I am a lawyer and deputy city councilor from Helsinki. After gaining valuable experience as a deputy councilor, I am now particularly ready to step into the boots of a City Councilor! I work for the Finnish Landlord Association as Head of Legal. Through my work, I am extensively acquainted with housing policy, which I believe is the most important aspect of municipal policy. I believe that my professional skills will also significantly benefit in urban policy.

I live in Hakaniemi with my cohabitant and in my free time you can find me on a badminton court,golf courses or travelling! I have held various positions of trust for several years. Taking care of common issues is meaningful and inspiring to me!

My core values ​​in politics are fairness, honesty, and perseverance. I am a center-right liberal, a staunch supporter of the market economy and a promoter of individual freedoms. I believe that public power should interfere in people’s lives as little as possible.

City policy directly affects every Helsinki resident. The decisions of municipal decision-makers affect, for example, what kind of housing is available to city residents and at what price. In addition, the decisions by the city council are key in combating climate change and to the availability of kindergartens, green spaces, and sports facilities.

I want Helsinki to be developed into a modern metropolis in the long term. Helsinki will thrive by providing the opportunity for everyone to build their lives the way they want. You can find more information on what I stand for on my blog (in Finnish).

Helsinki is the best place in the world to live. However, there is still a lot to do in Helsinki to keep up with global urban development. I want to promote a more functional Helsinki. In order to do that, I am asking for your help in the summer 2021 municipal elections.

Let’s build Helsinki a modern metropolis together!

What do I stand for?

Functioning housing market

  • There should be enough homes in Helsinki for all life situations!
  • The housing market must rely more on the market economy. The share of market-based housing production must be increased and strict regulations on city plans should be decreased.
  • Empty office space needs to be converted into apartments.
  • There should be enough homes in Helsinki for all life situations!
  • The housing market must rely more on the market economy. The share of market-based housing production must be increased and strict regulations on city plans should be decreased.
  • Empty office space needs to be converted into apartments.

Sustainable metropolis

  • The city must invest in public transport e.g. expanding the rail network.
  • Helsinki must be a global pioneer in ecological construction and the use of renewable energy.
  • The surrounding nature must be preserved – a cozy city is not just about housing. Densification of residential areas leaves room for nature and sports venues.
  • The city must invest in public transport e.g. expanding the rail network.
  • Helsinki must be a global pioneer in ecological construction and the use of renewable energy.
  • The surrounding nature must be preserved – a cozy city is not just about housing. Densification of residential areas leaves room for nature and sports venues.

Quality services

  • Early childhood education and basic education are the city’s core tasks – Helsinki needs more high-quality education facilities!
  • A growing city is able to provide better services to its residents.
  • Public services must be complemented by private services to ensure fast access to services for every citizen.
  • Early childhood education and basic education are the city’s core tasks – Helsinki needs more high-quality education facilities!
  • A growing city is able to provide better services to its residents.
  • Public services must be complemented by private services to ensure fast access to services for every citizen.

Economic efficiency

  • Immigration is a valuable resource for Helsinki.
  • Helsinki must use the land it owns more efficiently to generate income so that the taxation of Helsinki residents can be reduced without compromising on services.
  • The property tax rate should not be increased. Property tax revenue can be increased by building more taxable properties in Helsinki.
  • Efforts should be made to reduce the municipal tax so that Helsinki has the lowest tax rate in the country.
  • Immigration is a valuable resource for Helsinki. 
  • Helsinki must use the land it owns more efficiently to generate income so that the taxation of Helsinki residents can be reduced without compromising on services.
  • Kiinteistöveroprosenttia ei tule korottaa. Kiinteistöverokertymää voidaan kasvattaa rakentamalla Helsinkiin lisää verotettavia kohteita. 
  • The property tax rate should not be increased. Property tax revenue can be increased by building more taxable properties in Helsinki.
  • Efforts should be made to reduce the municipal tax so that Helsinki has the lowest tax rate in the country.

Social media