The 'Sipoo Person of the Year' competition faced controversy when a candidate, Arttu "Upi" Pulkkinen, received over 2,000 votes due to a campaign allegedly orchestrated on the Ylilauta discussion board. Sipoon Sanomat, the organizer of the voting, reported that the votes were manipulated, prompting a decision to disqualify Pulkkinen from the competition. This action reflects the outlet's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the award, which is meant to celebrate positive contributions to the community.

Ulla Yliherne, the editor-in-chief of Sipoon Sanomat, emphasized that the spirit of the competition is to uplift the city of Sipoo and its residents in a positive light. Therefore, allowing a candidate with a controversial and criminal background like Pulkkinen would contradict the purpose of the competition. The situation raised critical questions about the integrity of public voting and the responsibilities of organizers in overseeing such events, especially in the age of social media influence.

Pulkkinen's past includes a 2021 conviction for the sexual abuse of a child, along with previous convictions for assault and public disturbances, including being deported from Norway for walking naked in public while intoxicated. His disqualification not only preserves the esteem of the competition but also underscores the importance of considering candidates’ backgrounds in community recognitions. Such incidents highlight the potential ramifications of social media interference in local events, calling for more stringent oversight by organizers in future competitions.