May 18 and June 1, 2025, Kumppanuuskeskus, Oulu
The establishment of District Electoral Commission No. 74 in Oulu is a historic event for our region! Never before has the Polish community living in northern Finland had the opportunity to participate in such a significant civic event as the presidential elections.
We are proud to announce that the elections in Oulu were made possible only thanks to the fruitful cooperation between SPPF and the Embassy and Consulate of the Republic of Poland in Helsinki. This is the result of many years of consistent work by everyone involved – the board, dues-paying members, and all participants in events organized by our association. It is your activity that brought attention to the needs of the Polish diaspora in northern Finland and became the motivation to establish a commission in Oulu.
It is worth emphasizing that Electoral Commission No. 74 consisted exclusively of SPPF members – and we can be very proud of that! Over 200 votes were cast in Oulu. Moreover, comparing the turnout between the first and second rounds, Oulu recorded an impressive increase of 39%! By comparison, Helsinki saw a 4% increase and Turku 15%.
People came to vote in Oulu from distant places like Tromsø in Norway (as it was the closest), as well as from Sweden and many cities in Finland: Kajaani, Kemijärvi, Rovaniemi, Kokkola, and others. Participating – especially in both rounds – was a great effort and sacrifice, both in time and finances. But for many Poles, it was worth it!
The elections themselves went very smoothly – without campaigning, errors, complaints, or grievances. Instead, there were many smiles and short but warm conversations – especially with those who visited Oulu for the first time or traveled long distances to vote.
Vice-Consul Izabela Furmaniak visited Oulu twice, bringing with her the necessary equipment and documentation for the polling station. She was also responsible for the IT support of the elections, providing professional assistance in case of procedural doubts and helping the commission efficiently transmit the results to the National Electoral Commission. We are very grateful for her commitment and support.
We sincerely hope that the Oulu electoral district will become a permanent part of the electoral map and will serve the local Polish community. However, this primarily depends on the engagement and activity of its members. Let us not rest on our laurels – let’s continue building a Polish community based on friendship, mutual support, and above all – respect
