Sámi Parliament elects Pirita Näkkäläjärvi from Inari as chairperson for 2024–2027 term

The Sámi Parliament’s organizational meeting has elected Pirita Näkkäläjärvi from Inari as chairperson for the term 2024–2027. This marks the second time this year that the Sámi Parliament has restructured, following a ruling from Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court that mandated new elections over the summer. Näkkäläjärvi was elected with votes totaling 14 in favor, 3 against, and 2 abstentions; one ballot was blank. The votes were cast among three candidates.

Näkkäläjärvi first became chairperson at the organizational meeting held in January, where she garnered 13 votes. The meeting on Monday also saw nominations for the chairperson position from Niko-Mihkal Valkeapää from Enontekiö and Kari Kyrö from Inari. Valkeapää transitioned from an alternate member to a full member following the repeat elections, previously serving as a representative for the Sámi Parliament of Norway. Kyrö was allowed to participate in the re-elections based on a decision from the Supreme Administrative Court, having received 215 votes, making him the election’s standout candidate.

During the organizational meeting, the Sámi Parliament selects its executive board, government officials, and the chairs and members of various committees, along with representatives for different roles. The recent re-elections stemmed from a decision by the electoral board, which excluded 86 individuals from the previous year’s voter roll, contrary to the court’s orders. The electoral board justified its decision based on UN human rights body resolutions stating that the court’s rulings had infringed upon Sámi self-determination rights. The Supreme Administrative Court ordered the elections to be repeated due to the omission of 65 individuals who should have been included. Members of the Sámi Parliament’s governing body have lodged an appeal regarding the court’s decision with the UN Human Rights Committee. Further updates will follow.