Norway voters elect lawmakers, church reps

OSLO, Norway, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- Norwegians went to the polls Monday to elect representatives to the Norwegian parliament, the Sami assembly and state church counsels.

The voting marked the first time state church elections were conducted on the same day as the general election, The Norway Post reported Monday.

Election officials said a record number of voters cast absentee ballots in this year's elections. Election booths in many cities and larger communities were open Sunday to accommodate voters.

Voters will elect 169 representatives from 19 counties to the Norwegian parliament, or Storting. Thirty-nine representatives will be elected to the Sameting, or the Sami National Assembly, which represents the indigenous Sami population.