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Article 9
 

§ 9. Formation of electoral districts

(1) A local government council, except in Tallinn, shall form one or several electoral districts in the territory of the local government. Several electoral districts may be formed if the number of council mandates is at least thirty-one, such that the number of mandates in the electoral districts to be formed shall not be less than ten or differ by more than two.

(2) In a local government in which city or rural municipality districts have been formed, the council may form electoral districts by city or rural municipality district. In such case, the restrictions provided for in subsection (1) of this section shall not be valid.

(3) In Tallinn, the council shall form electoral districts by city district. The council shall divide one-half of the mandates equally among the districts of the city of Tallinn; the council shall divide the remaining mandates on a simple quota and largest-remainder rule, based on the number of electors residing permanently in the city district on 1 June of the election year.

(4) A local government council shall form electoral districts not later than ninety days before election day, and shall determine their number and boundaries, standard numeration in the territory of the corresponding local government and the number of mandates in each electoral district. The number of mandates shall be determined on a simple quota and largest-remainder rule, based on the number of electors residing permanently in the electoral district on 1 June of the election year as follows:

1) the total number of electors shall be divided by the number of council members;

2) the number of electors in each electoral district shall be divided by the number obtained as a result of the calculation made pursuant to clause 1) of this subsection;

3) each electoral district shall receive mandates pursuant to the integer of the number obtained as a result of the calculation made pursuant to clause 2) of this subsection;

4) mandates which are not distributed pursuant to clause 3) of this subsection shall be distributed on largest-remainder rule, based on the fractions of numbers obtained as a result of the calculation made pursuant to clause 2) of this subsection.

(16.06.99 entered into force 23.06.99 - RT I 1999, 54, 581)

(41) In the case of elections which are held due to the merger of local governments, the councils of the local governments to be merged shall determine, based on the number of residents in the rural municipality or city to be formed by the merger, the number of members of the council to be elected and the number and boundaries of electoral districts, the standard numeration in the territory of the local government to be formed and the number of mandates in each electoral district. The number of mandates shall be determined in the way provided for in subsection (4) of this section, based on the number of electors residing permanently in the electoral district on 1 June of the election year.

(16.06.99 entered into force 23.06.99 - RT I 1999, 54, 581)

(5) The resolution of a council or the resolutions of councils concerning the formation of electoral districts together with the number of mandates in each district and a description of district boundaries shall be published as public information within three working days after the date of adoption of the resolution.

(25.02.98 entered into force 30.03.98 – RT I 1998, 28, 356)