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The 2021 municipal elections were held on 13 June 2021. Given the exceptional times under the Covid-19 pandemic, the voter turnout was historically low at 55.1 per cent. To ensure Covid-safe elections, the advance voting period was extended to two weeks. This boosted the proportion of advance voters to a record high of 33% of those entitled to vote.

The voter turnout rose to over 70% in ten local authorities. The highest turnout, at 81.6 per cent, was in the municipality of Utsjoki in northernmost Lapland.

The pandemic reduced traditional campaigning activities in the marketplaces and other face-to-face contacts between voters and candidates. Many took their campaign and electoral debates to the Internet and social media. The harassment and intimidation of candidates that followed was the subject of much public discussion during the spring.