Elections are here

A Polling station in our locality by the train Station in Almere

In spite of the collapse of government 2 weeks ago, local council elections will still go on as planned tomorrow Wednesday 3 march 2010. A week ago my wife and I received our ballots through the post office. There has been a lot of campaigning online for different parties. I was surprised at the many immigrants from different countries vying for councillorship

The ballot paper has details of what the election is for. One can vote between 7.30 in the morning to 9.00 pm. One can vote in any locality in the neighborhood, but the nearest polling station (in our case a primary school nearby) is inscribed on the ballot paper.

For any other information, one is advised to contact the local election office website. (www.almerestemt.nl) One’s name, date of birth and address is also on the ballot. One can also give anyone he/she trusts the ballot to vote for him/her. However, an identity card or passport is a requisite for voting.

In the Netherlands every one has an identity card and an address. By law every one above 14 years of age must have at all times the identification with him/her. It is therefore easy to post ballots to the voters to their addresses.

Currently 11 parties have representatives in parliament or local councils. These include the ruling party; the Christian Democratic Union (CDA), The labour party, Socialist party, 1966 Democratic party, party for animal lovers, Party for freedom, Christian Union, Green left and reformed party among others

There are 45 other parties not represented in parliament. These include; the conservative party, the Greens, One party, Green free internet, Islam democrats, Catholic political party, liberal democrats, the Fortuyn party, Mobile Netherlands, Communist party, Middle party, New Right, Our Netherlands, Party for love, Party for the future, Republican socialist party, Pensioners party, Progressive party, Alternative politics and Offensive party.

There are many other parties that are defunct. The likes of the Dutch fascists party, Peasants league, Moslem Party, Islamic party, farmers party and Anti revolutionary party.

Polling station with a mobile toilet for voters and polling assistants