The tasks of a municipality are defined in the Constitution and the Municipalities Act. According to Chapter 11 of the Constitution, municipalities have self-government and the right to tax. According to the Municipalities Act, all municipalities must have a municipal council, a municipal government, a mayor, an audit committee and a professional auditor. In addition, the municipal council may appoint committees to perform permanent tasks and executive boards. The decision-making power of the municipality is exercised by the municipal council, which is elected by the residents for a four-year term.

Town council

The highest decision-making authority in the city of Kankaanpää is exercised by the 35-member city council. The council members and their deputies are elected in municipal elections held every four years. The council is responsible for the city's operations and finances and, as a rule, elects the members of the institutions.

Town government

The City Board has 9 members, from whom the City Council elects the chairman and 2 vice-chairmen of the City Board. Each member has a personal deputy. The full members of the City Board are elected from among the councillors.

Committees

The committees are institutions under the city board, each of which carries out tasks within its own field of activity. The committee chairs are elected from among the councilors. The council elects a chair and vice-chair from among the board members. Each member has a personal deputy. The committees are the committee on education, committee on welfare, technical committee and committee on city planning. Each committees has a chair and 8 members.

City audit committee

The City Audit Committee has 5 members, from whom the council elects the chairman and vice-chairman of the committee. The chairman and vice-chairman must be council representatives. Each member has a personal deputy.

Electoral bodies

Provisions on the Central Election Board, election boards and election commissions are laid down in the Election Act.

Neighborhood Committee

As a transitional provision for the council term from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2025, in accordance with the merger agreement, the elected representatives organization will be strengthened in the district committee. 5-7 members will be elected to the district committee operating in the Honkajoki village area. A chairman and vice-chairman will be elected from among the committee members. The committee's affairs will be prepared by the development director. (Former mayor of Honkajoki)

Institutions of influence

The city has youth council ja Council for the Elderly and Disabled, whose composition, appointment and operating conditions are decided by the city government.