Helsinki does not organize welfare area elections, but does hold municipal elections.
Helsinki has the responsibility for organizing as a city and is not part of a welfare area. However, regarding social and health care services and rescue operations, the same regulations apply as in the welfare areas, and it receives funding for these tasks according to the same criteria that apply to welfare areas.
Since the City of Helsinki is not a welfare area, welfare area elections are not held there. Instead, the city council is elected through municipal elections. The Helsinki City Council exercises the highest decision-making authority also in matters related to these responsibilities. However, certain exceptions in the management of these tasks are prescribed by law. Among other things, the city must account separately for the costs of social and health care services and rescue operations from the costs of other municipal activities.