Local election voting points towards increased participation at the polls this time around compared with four years ago. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg urges voters to show what is important for them.
NRK reports about 16 percent cast their ballot in Tromsø, yesterday, 4 percent higher than in 2007. Whilst the broadcaster says Sarpsborg and Lillehammer showed a good turnout, with queues in Kongsberg. Voters in Oslo were not put off by the rain, and there are indications of increased voter numbers in Stavanger and Bodø today.
10 councils tried Internet voting for the first time, reporting 28,000 registered votes. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Liv Signe Navarsete was pleased, saying, “there was a considerably higher percentage participation than we expected.”
Prime Minister Stoltenberg tells Dagsavisen, “voting this year is twice as important [after the events of 22 July]. It’s important for the political values we believe in, and to show we take democracy seriously.”
“Voting is the most beautiful expression of democracy we possess,” concludes the PM.
Full Article: Norway PM: ‘Vote for democracy’ / News / The Foreigner — Norwegian News in English..