Finnish polls open, but nearly half have already voted early

DPA
·1 min read
Green Party backed candidate for a nonpartisan constituency association Pekka Haavisto casts his vote during the second round of the Finnish presidential election. Mikko Stig/STT-Lehtikuva/dpa
Green Party backed candidate for a nonpartisan constituency association Pekka Haavisto casts his vote during the second round of the Finnish presidential election. Mikko Stig/STT-Lehtikuva/dpa
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Finnish voters who were not among the 46% of the electorate who voted early are going to the polls on Sunday to elect a president in a run-off election.

Voters have until the evening to decide between former prime minister Alexander Stubb, 55, and former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto, 65.

Nearly 2 million voters residing in Finland have already cast their ballots.

Based on that, an initial projection should be published shortly after the polling stations close at 8 pm (1800 GMT). A provisional final result is expected to be released in the course of the evening. Stubb, a conservative, is considered the slight favourite over his Green party challenger, according to the polls.

National Coalition Party (NCP) presidential candidate Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb cast their vote during the second round of the Finnish presidential election. Mikko Stig/STT-Lehtikuva/dpa
National Coalition Party (NCP) presidential candidate Alexander Stubb and his wife Suzanne Innes-Stubb cast their vote during the second round of the Finnish presidential election. Mikko Stig/STT-Lehtikuva/dpa