The registration of candidates and election coalitions for the local government council elections in October starts tomorrow, 20 August. Documents can be submitted electronically in the elections information system, or on paper to the rural municipality or city electoral committees.

“The first date for registering candidates is set out in the law; this year, it coincides with the Day of Restoration of Independence, i.e. a public holiday. The law does not oblige rural municipality or city electoral committees to stay open on a public holiday—every committee can decide on its own whether it starts registering tomorrow or the next working day. But the documents can definitely be submitted online through the elections information system beginning from tomorrow,” said the Head of State Electoral Office Arne Koitmäe.

Political parties, independent candidates, and election coalitions can submit their documents until 6 p.m. on 9 September. In order to nominate candidates, an election coalition must first be registered by 4 September at the latest. Election coalitions must also conclude a contract of partnership to regulate the relations between the members of the coalition. Election coalitions and candidates are registered in the rural municipality or city electoral committees.

A candidate must be an Estonian or a European Union citizen who has the right to vote, is at least 18 years of age, and resides permanently in the rural municipality or city where they wish to stand as of 1 August. A candidate can stand in only one electoral district at a time.

Every municipality is its own electoral district, except the City of Tallinn where every city district is a separate electoral district.

The list of voters is put together by the Ministry of the Interior as of September 19. Any changes made in the residence data after this date are not taken into account, meaning that a voter can vote in the electoral district where their registered residence was located on 19 September.

Eligible voters are at least 16 years of age, have Estonian or European Union citizenship, or reside in Estonia with a long-term residence permit or the right of permanent residence. Third country citizens can no longer take part in the local government council elections as of this year.  

Advance voting and online voting at the local government council elections will start on 13 October, the election day is on 19 October.

Information for submitting the documents for standing as a candidate can be found here.