välivaalit

Välivaalit, often translated as by-elections or special elections, are electoral contests held to fill a seat in a legislative body that has become vacant for reasons other than a regularly scheduled general election. These vacancies can arise due to the death of a sitting member, their resignation, disqualification, or appointment to another office. The specific rules and procedures governing välivaalit can vary significantly between countries and even within different levels of government in a single nation.

In many parliamentary systems, when a seat becomes vacant, a by-election is triggered to elect a successor. The process typically involves a shortened election campaign period compared to general elections. The candidates are usually nominated by political parties, and in some cases, independent candidates may also stand. The electorate for the by-election is the same as for a general election in that specific constituency.

The outcome of a by-election can have various implications. For the political parties involved, a by-election serves as a gauge of public opinion and the popularity of their policies and candidates between general elections. A strong performance can boost morale and momentum, while a poor result may signal underlying dissatisfaction. For the government, the loss or gain of a seat through a by-election can potentially alter the balance of power in the legislature, though this is more significant in systems with very slim majorities. The media often pays close attention to by-elections, viewing them as mini-referendums on the current government's performance.