Clearer rules for elections to the Sámi Parliament
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
S motions for approval of the bill to harmonize elections to the Sametinget with general elections through clearer rules for, among other things, voting, seat distribution, and protection for party designations 1. M motions for approval and emphasizes that clearer rules make it easier to do the right thing and ensure that only those with the right to vote are elected 2. V motions for approval but expresses concern that the government has not consulted the Sametinget to a sufficient extent, which could damage its legitimacy 3. MP motions for approval but shares the concern over the Sametinget's low level of trust and emphasizes the importance of the consultation obligation 4.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Mirja Räihä (S)
Madam Speaker! It appears from the matter that it is the Election Authority that has requested the government to clarify the rules and regulations regarding elections to the Sámi Parliament. According to the Election Authority, the current rules are unclear or incomplete, which complicates the work for the election administration and creates uncertainty for both eligible voters and the parties, groups, and similar associations that run in the election.
The bill contains proposals aimed at addressing this and making the provisions on elections to the Sametinget more similar to the provisions in the Election Act, the law that applies to all other elections.
The amendments to the Sami Parliament Act concern elections to the Sami Parliament and aim to make the rules clearer. They involve, among other things, the introduction of a protection for designations similar to the protection for party designations in general elections, as well as that the rules on notification and registration before elections and the provisions on voting and receipt of votes, polling stations, vote counting, and seat allocation in Sami Parliament elections are clarified. Through the amendments, it becomes more similar to church elections, general elections, etc.
The amendments also mean that more detailed provisions are introduced regarding how a vote is prepared and how the scrutiny and vote-counting procedure shall take place. Furthermore, provisions are introduced that correspond completely or substantially to the provisions that apply in general elections regarding the ban on propaganda in the polling station, the provision of ballot papers, requirements for a minimum number of poll clerks as well as their training, the accessibility of the polling stations and how the vote counting shall take place.
Elections to the Sametinget are held on the third Sunday in May every four years, which means that the next election will take place on May 18, 2025. The Sámi who are included in the electoral roll elect the members of the Sametinget through direct elections. The changes that are now proposed will be significantly clearer and less obstructive for the election to be carried out.
Madam Speaker! This matter is primarily about harmonizing the Act on Elections to the Sami Parliament with other elections. Even though we Social Democrats do not join the specific statement from the Left Party, it may still be appropriate to remind the government and the Riksdag of the obligation to consult the Sami. Just as is the case regarding the salaries of the Government Offices, it is very good to send a message to those responsible for this.
With that, I move for approval of the committee's proposal in the report, that is, approval of the bill on the Act on Elections to the Sami Parliament.
Susanne Nordström (M)
Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by moving for approval of the committee's proposal in the report Clearer rules for elections to the Sametinget. The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force on 1 August 2024.
The proposal aims to make the rules more transparent and uniform and more similar to the rules that apply for general elections. One can say that it should be easy to do the right thing. One should also know if one has the right, i.e., the right to vote.
We are careful to ensure that those who have the right to vote are given the opportunity to vote. We are also careful that those who run in elections meet the criteria that are set as requirements. It is fundamental for a democratic system of government and a democratic right for those who have reached the age to vote.
In this bill, there are several points that go in that direction.
Madam Speaker! One example is that the rules regarding notification and registration before elections are clarified. This will make it easier for voters and candidates to understand the process and participate in the election. Furthermore, a protection shall be introduced for designations that resemble party designations found in general elections. This aims to prevent confusion and create clarity regarding which parties or lists are relevant in the Sametinget. Another example is that the provisions on voting, vote reception, polling stations, vote counting, and seat allocation in Sametinget elections are clarified. This will contribute to a smoother and more transparent election process.
Furthermore, there has previously been a limitation regarding the processing of personal data in connection with elections to the Sametinget. This has led to difficulties in determining questions regarding eligibility and also regarding who has the right to vote. Therefore, the government proposes in the new bill that more personal data than before shall be allowed to be processed in connection with elections to the Sametinget.
It is important to be able to verify that the electoral roll is correct. From a democratic perspective, no one wants to be left out of an electoral roll – if one has the right to be included, that is. From the same perspective, one wants just as little that someone who does not have the right to vote should be included in the electoral roll. Everything else is undemocratic.
Madam Speaker! Through these changes, a more open and understandable electoral system for the Sami Parliament is created.
Jessica Wetterling (V)
Madam Speaker! I would like to begin by expressing my support for the committee's proposal in the report.
Yesterday an election took place in Sweden, as everyone knows. But in May next year there is also an election, and that is to the Sametinget.
Recently, the Sámi Parliament held a plenary session in the Riksdag's premises, which in any case, for my own part, led to a good exchange and interesting discussions with several of the Sámi Parliament's representatives. Additionally, I took part in the interesting presentations at the plenary. For my part, I hope that the exchange between the members of the Riksdag and the Sámi Parliament will continue to be strengthened and deepened.
In this bill, a number of changes are made, among others in the Sami Parliament Act, in order to create clearer rules for the election to the Sami Parliament. The clarifications concern, among others, polling stations, vote counting, and vote reception.
Vänsterpartiet supports the government's proposal in this matter, just as the other parties in the Riksdag do. However, I am concerned that it appears that the government has not consulted the Sametinget to a sufficient extent in the matter.
The Sami Parliament agrees in its referral response to the government regarding the needs for clearer regulation. But the Sami Parliament states at the same time that it is a serious deficiency that they have not been heard regarding the Sami Parliament's election committee's task. In the referral response, the Sami Parliament also emphasizes that it is assumed that the department prepares and refers their other proposals.
I mean that the Sami Parliament, as an elected body, risks losing legitimacy if the government does not fully fulfill the statutory consultation obligation. In the Swedish National Audit Office's report from November 2023, "Self-determination on paper but not in practice"? The analysis of the management, governance, and follow-up of the Sami Parliament shows, among other things, that confidence in the Sami Parliament is low, both among voters in the Sami Parliament election and among certain target groups. This shows that the legitimacy of the Sami Parliament needs to be strengthened even further.
I will follow the question closely and continue to propose measures aimed at strengthening the Sami Parliament's legitimacy and role as a parliament.
Madam Speaker! In conclusion, I would like to wish the Speaker's Presidium, the Chamber Office, others working in the Riksdag Administration and, of course, the KU's eminent Committee Office, but also other committee offices that I do not have the privilege of working with, a very pleasant summer and, hopefully, also plenty of time for recovery!
Jan Riise (MP)
Madam Speaker! As far as I understand, I have been given the honorable task of trying to conclude the KU debates that have lasted from the morning until the beginning of the afternoon, and which our chairwoman Ida Karkiainen started several hours ago. I shall try to do so in a good way.
We had, as Jessica Wetterling mentioned, a fine visit to the Riksdag a few weeks ago when the Sametinget held its plenary meeting here. Furthermore, seminars and other meetings were organized regarding Sami self-determination and other issues. What we are talking about here, clearer rules for elections to the Sametinget, was not on the agenda—at least not during the moments I sat and listened.
The Sámi Parliament was founded in 1993, so more than 30 years ago. Elections to the Sámi Parliament are held every four years. The next election will be held, as has been stated, in 2025, specifically on May 18. Ahead of the 2025 election, the government has, in a proposition, proposed a number of changes to the current system with the aim that the rules should become clearer and more similar to those that apply to the general elections.
It concerns, among other things, protection of party designations to avoid risks of confusion, in the same way as for the general elections. The bill also contains clarifications regarding the design of the polling station, not least to ensure that voters with disabilities shall be able to participate.
The vote counting is proposed in the bill to be moved from the Sami Parliament to the County Administrative Board. The Sami Parliament is, as is well known, not only a parliament but also an authority that has until now been responsible for vote counting and the compilation of the results.
As far as I have understood, there are different views on that part of the new proposal. It can be seen as an unnecessary interference in the self-determination that exists. On the other hand, I can see the point of creating an additional level of security to avoid any future discussions about deficiencies in the system.
Madam Speaker! A question of great importance for the Sámi Parliament concerns the electoral roll, or rather what rules should apply for an application to be included in the electoral roll to be approved. Today, the rule is that one must perceive oneself as a Sámi and have Sámi as a language in the home, or have had it in the parental home or with grandparents.
In conversations I have had with members of the Sami Parliament's board, a very strong desire has been expressed to increase the number of generations to four, instead of the three that I mentioned. In this way, more could participate, more who perceive themselves as Sami, but where the language has in practice been lost during the time when the Swedish language was the only one used, for example in school.
I have no opportunity to demand any change in that matter here and now. But I intend to continue to follow the developments in order to potentially be able to return to the matter, for example during the general motion period.
Finally, Madam Speaker, I share the concern expressed in the special statement from the Left Party. If it is the case that the Sami Parliament has low confidence and its legitimacy has been questioned, as the Government Offices have reported in its investigation, there are every reason to work to improve it. This also naturally includes the consultation procedure that has been introduced and the value of the Sami Parliament actually being heard in the matters that concern it.
Like Member Wetterling, I will continue to follow that development with great interest and return with proposals.
With that said, Madam Speaker, I move for approval of the committee's proposal in the report. If I may wish for anything more, it is a pleasant and beautiful summer with much good reading for everyone here and everyone who feels involved in what we are doing.
In this speech, Jacob Risberg (MP) agreed.
The deliberation was hereby concluded.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.