The annual Council of Representatives elections in the universities of applied sciences’ student unions were held at the turn of October–November. Nationwide voter turnout was 14.44 percent. Last year, turnout was 17.32 percent. In total, 5,949 votes were cast. In four student unions no elections were needed, as the Council of Representatives could be formed without an election, and in three student unions the councils will be elected later.

The highest turnout was at the Student Union of Vaasa University of Applied Sciences (VAMOK), reaching 27.09 percent. The next highest turnouts were at the Student Union of Humak University of Applied Sciences (HUMAKO) with 21.60 percent, and at the Student Union of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Helga) with 20.88 percent.

Among all candidates nationwide, Elias Anttila received the most votes—89—at the Student Union of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (SAMO). The second-most votes went to Jenni Santaharju at the Student Union of Tampere University of Applied Sciences (Tamko) with 76 votes, and third-most to Jasmin Tuominen at the Student Union of Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (Helga) with 72 votes. Sector-specific lists and red–green joint lists performed best nationally.

In these elections, higher education students choose their representatives to the student unions’ Council of Representatives, which decides on the student unions’ operations and finances and appoints the Executive Board to implement those decisions. The Councils also define the student unions’ policy positions and exercise the highest decision-making power within the student movement. All members of the student unions are eligible to stand and entitled to vote.

You can find the official results on each student union’s own website. We’ve listed the student unions’ contact details at: www.samok.fi/opiskelijakunnat.

Further information:

Julia Väänänen
Chair, SAMOK
[email protected]
Tel. +358 50 389 1000