Valimiste

Valimiste is the genitive plural form of valimised, an Estonian noun meaning elections. The nominative plural valimised denotes elections as a political process in which citizens vote to select representatives or determine policy. Valimiste is used in phrases such as valimiste tulemused (the results of the elections) and valimiste päev (election day). The word derives from the verb valima (to elect) and the noun-forming suffix mise, with the genitive plural ending iste.

In Estonia, elections are held for different levels of government. General parliamentary elections for Riigikogu are conducted by proportional representation with open party lists, and municipal council elections follow a similar system. Riigikogu, the national legislature, consists of 101 members elected for four-year terms. The president is elected indirectly, by an electoral college formed by Riigikogu and municipalities. Elections are administered by the National Electoral Committee and local electoral offices. Suffrage is universal for citizens aged 18 and over.

Historically, Estonia has maintained regular elections since regaining independence in 1991, with the modern system established in the 1990s. The term valimiste thus functions both as a generic reference to the electoral process and as a linguistic marker in Estonian political discourse.