Probe into suspected breach of election law begins

The Oulu police have begun preliminary investigations into the suspected breach of election law, reported national broadcaster Yle.

It was reported earlier that voters were turned away ahead of time at Oulu city library. The voters are reported to have arrived at the library before 8:00 pm, the designated time for polling station closure.

The electoral law states that a voter who arrives at a polling station before its closure is entitled to vote.

There is a reason to suspect that the law was broken that is why the Oulu police department has initiated a pre-trial investigation. The matter is being investigated as distortion of election results.

"No one is currently suspected for committing an offence, rather different parties will be interrogated. We will hear from those who came to vote, as well as election officials and other people who were present," said detective superintendent Markus Kiiskinen.

The police aim to complete the investigation by summer after which the prosecutor will make decision whether to frame charges.