Laatutarkastelu

Laatutarkastelu is a term used in Finland to describe a pre-election audit of votes, primarily by the losing parties in a municipal election. This process typically takes place after the official election results have been announced and is designed to verify the accuracy of the vote count, particularly in the light of concerns and suspicions raised by the defeated parties.

The term 'Laatutarkastelu' literally translates to '.Scan-check' or 'Verification check' in Finnish, and its purpose is to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process. During the Laatutarkastelu, officials and representatives of the losing parties conduct a thorough examination of the voting records and processes, including voting machines, ballots, and voter registration rolls.

This exercise is often performed under the oversight of independent authorities, such as the Finnish Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Electoral Authority. Laatutarkastelu can be conducted in various formats, ranging from on-site inspections of voting stations to the manual counting of ballots, occasionally to the point of verifying individual voting cards.

While this practice may seem akin to a political opposition-led recount, the underlying philosophy is more nuanced. Laatutarkastelu is conceptualized as a corrective mechanism allowing the defeated parties to scrutinize potential discrepancies in the voting process, focusing on maintaining public trust in the electoral system. It's worth noting that Laatutarkastelu has gained notoriety in high-profile Finnish local elections, substantiating an atmosphere of public reassurance regarding the verified integrity of the election process.