PROCESS INDICATORS Process indicators Source and supporting information The MoJ made efforts to expand voter education and the electoral information available, Do political parties have accessibility including extensive website content. Personal letters were sent to all new voters, while guidelines/action plans in place? Please pamphlets and booklets were sent to schools for teaching purposes. The MoJ established give details of provisions related to a presence in social media, such as Facebook, where they held a number of well-attended information and communications live question and answer sessions. Information guides were distributed in 20 languages. For the first time, candidate lists were provided on audio CD and in Braille making it material (e.g. manifestos, information possible for the visually impaired to independently study candidate lists in their district. about candidates, website, meetings etc.) For further information, see the report of the OSCE regarding the Parliamentary elections of the 17th of April 2011. The Constitution of Finland (, section 14 entitled “Electoral and participatory rights”, stipulates that “the public authorities shall promote the opportunities for the individual to participate in societal activity and to influence the decisions that concern him or her.” There are no specific mechanisms in place with regard to electoral matters and DPOs. However, citizens, NGOs and other civic groups are heard when government prepares draft decisions. Public bodies that ask for citizens’ views include ministries, central Are there mechanisms in place to government agencies and municipal authorities. During a round of comments government ensure that disabled people’s circulates its draft decision for comments to selected experts and civic groups. For such organisations (DPOs) are consulted and preparatory work to be successful, it is important to ensure that comments are obtained involved in the development of laws from an adequate range of persons and organisations. An NGO often acts as an expert. and policies in electoral matters? For example, a DPO can comment on disability policies. An NGO can also use its own Please give details of the mechanisms through which DPOs are involved. initiative to submit a comment without being invited to do so by government. In the drafting of legislation by ministries, citizens are primarily heard through the procedure, before obtaining any comments The National Council on Disability, VANE is a co-operative organ for authorities, disability organisations and organisations for relatives of disabled people. It closely follows the decision-making in the society, gives statements and promotes the real implementation of
PROCESS INDICATORS Process indicators Source and supporting information Do political parties have accessibility guidelines/action plans in place? Please give details of provisions related to information and communications material (e.g. manifestos, information about candidates, website, meetings etc.) The MoJ made efforts to expand voter education and the electoral information available, including extensive website content. Personal letters were sent to all new voters, while pamphlets and booklets were sent to schools for teaching purposes. The MoJ established a presence in social media, such as Facebook, where they held a number of well-attended live question and answer sessions. Information guides were distributed in 20 languages. For the first time, candidate lists were provided on audio CD and in Braille making it possible for the visually impaired to independently study candidate lists in their district. For further information, see the report of the OSCE regarding the Parliamentary elections of the 17th of April 2011. Are there mechanisms in place to ensure that disabled people’s organisations (DPOs) are consulted and involved in the development of laws and policies in electoral matters? Please give details of the mechanisms through which DPOs are involved. The Constitution of Finland (, section 14 entitled “Electoral and participatory rights”, stipulates that “the public authorities shall promote the opportunities for the individual to participate in societal activity and to influence the decisions that concern him or her.” There are no specific mechanisms in place with regard to electoral matters and DPOs. However, citizens, NGOs and other civic groups are heard when government prepares draft decisions. Public bodies that ask for citizens’ views include ministries, central government agencies and municipal authorities. During a round of comments government circulates its draft decision for comments to selected experts and civic groups. For such preparatory work to be successful, it is important to ensure that comments are obtained from an adequate range of persons and organisations. An NGO often acts as an expert. For example, a DPO can comment on disability policies. An NGO can also use its own initiative to submit a comment without being invited to do so by government. In the drafting of legislation by ministries, citizens are primarily heard through the procedure, before obtaining any comments The National Council on Disability, VANE is a co-operative organ for authorities, disability organisations and organisations for relatives of disabled people. It closely follows the decision-making in the society, gives statements and promotes the real implementation of
political-participation-persons-disabilities-fi.docx