In the 2008 municipal election, turnout stood at 61.3 percent and eight years ago at 58.6%. Voter participation was last lower than in Sunday's election in 2000.
Voter turnout in the 2011 parliamentary election was 70.5%
Social Democratic MP and Speaker of Parliament Eero Heinäluoma described the fall in voter activity as "catastrophic".
Yle election coverage expert Sami Borg was surprised at the low turnout.
"On the other hand, issues did not come up in the campaign that would have really interested the voters," he said.
Heinäluoma believed that lower voter turnout worked to the advantage of the National Coalition Party.
"Of all the parties, they usually get their supporters out best," he told Yle.
His estimation was that low turnout hit hardest at results for the Finns Party and the Social Democrats, and marginally for those of the Centre Party.