COPENHAGEN, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Denmark kicked off local elections across the country on Tuesday, voting for representatives of regional and city councils.
More than 11,000 candidates are contesting 2,432 seats in 98 municipal councils and 205 seats in five regional councils through two elections on the same day.
The results of the elections are expected to be declared early Wednesday.
Besides Danish citizens over the age of 18, some internationals residing in Denmark can also vote for the local elections in Denmark.
Since the last elections in 2013, the number of foreign nationals eligible to vote in the 2017 elections has increased by 33 percent, according to figures recently published by Copenhagen-based think-tank Taenketank Europa.
Under Danish laws, local municipalities are responsible for daily local administration and public service while welfare and healthcare are the main focuses of regional councils.
Local elections in Denmark are held every four years on the third Tuesday in November. All residents in Denmark, who are eligible to vote, receive a ballot paper and instructions on how and where to vote.
Statistics show that since 1970 the turnout for the local elections has been stable at around 70 percent.
In the 2013 elections, Denmark's current ruling Liberal Party won 46 out of all 98 mayor posts, while the Social Democrats from the opposition center-left bloc gained 35 mayoral posts.
