Estonia is a country located in Northern Europe. It operates as a parliamentary republic. Here is some information about the election system in Estonia:
- Parliamentary Elections: The Riigikogu is the unicameral parliament of Estonia and consists of 101 members. Members of the Riigikogu are elected through a proportional representation system using open-list voting. Political parties present lists of candidates, and voters have the option to vote for individual candidates on the list. Seats in the Riigikogu are allocated to parties based on the percentage of votes they receive.
- Presidential Elections: The President of Estonia is the head of state and is elected by the Riigikogu. If the Riigikogu fails to elect a president after three rounds of voting, a special electoral college, consisting of members of the Riigikogu and representatives from local government councils, convenes to elect the president.
- Local Elections: Local government elections are held every four years in Estonia. Citizens have the right to vote for their local government representatives, including mayors and council members. Local elections use a proportional representation system similar to parliamentary elections.
- Electoral Process: The Electoral Committee of Estonia is responsible for organizing and overseeing elections in the country. It ensures that the electoral process is transparent and fair, manages voter registration, and conducts the counting of votes. Estonia has embraced digital innovations and pioneered the use of online voting, allowing citizens to cast their votes electronically.
- Voter Eligibility: Estonian citizens who are at least 18 years old have the right to vote in parliamentary and local elections. Voter registration is automatic for citizens and residents of Estonia. Estonians living abroad can also participate in elections through special voting procedures.
Estonia is known for its advanced e-governance system and has been recognized as a leader in digital democracy. The country has a multi-party system, with several political parties competing for seats in the Riigikogu and local governments.
