Valimistes

Valimistes is a term commonly used in Estonian to refer to elections. It encompasses the entire process by which citizens of Estonia exercise their right to vote and choose their representatives. This can include national elections for the Riigikogu (parliament), local government elections for municipal councils, and European Parliament elections for representatives in the European Union. The electoral system in Estonia is generally proportional representation, meaning that the number of seats a political party wins is largely proportional to the number of votes it receives.

The Estonian electoral system is known for its advanced implementation of e-voting, or internet voting. This allows registered voters to cast their ballots online during a designated period before the official election day. This digital voting system has been in place for many years and is widely used, contributing to Estonia's reputation as a digital society. The e-voting process is designed to be secure and confidential.

The organization and oversight of elections are handled by the National Electoral Committee (Valimiskomisjon) and its subordinate bodies. These committees are responsible for ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and in accordance with Estonian law. Voter registration is largely automatic based on the population register, making it relatively straightforward for eligible citizens to participate. Election day is typically a public holiday, encouraging high voter turnout. The results of valimistes determine the composition of legislative bodies and influence the direction of Estonian politics and policy.