Vaadilisaegade

Vaadilisaegade is an Estonian term used in election administration to describe the defined windows during which ballots may be cast or submitted. The concept covers the day-of-voting hours as well as any earlier or later periods during which voters can vote, such as early voting or absentee voting sessions. The exact configuration of vaadilisaegade depends on the type of election—national parliamentary elections, local municipal elections, European Parliament elections, and referenda may each have distinct periods—and on decisions by the competent authorities.

Legal basis and scope: In Estonia, vaadilisaegade are established by election legislation and related regulations. The law specifies the start and end dates of the voting period, rules for when and where people can vote, and procedures for alternative voting methods. The central election authority and local election officials publish the official vaadilisaegade announcements before each election.

Practical features: The hours for polling stations, as well as the dates of early voting and postal or proxy voting, are announced in advance. The system aims to maximize accessibility while safeguarding ballot secrecy and integrity. In exceptional circumstances, such as public holidays or emergencies, authorities may adjust the schedule within the bounds of the law.

See also: election law, voting period, early voting, absentee voting.

Note: The term is primarily used in Estonian-language contexts and can be translated as “voting periods” in other languages.