Registration for elections European Parliament has started

January 27, 2009 6:21 AM

All Dutch citizens living in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are for the first time allowed to vote for the European Parliament on June 4, 2009.  The amendment took place last year after a judicial procedure of the Arubans Mike Eman and Benny Sevinger.  In order to vote, voters must register first and they can do this till April 22.

Registration forms are available in Curacao at the Representation of the Netherlands at Scharlooweg 55 and at Kranshi in the Roodeweg; in Bonaire at the Bonerian ‘kranchi’ (Civilian Affairs) in the Kaya Alm. Pedro L. Brion 12; in St. Maarten at the establishment of the Representation of the Netherlands in Frontstreet, the Government Office, and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages; and in Saba and Statia at the Office of the Government Body, and the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
The registration forms can also be downloaded from the website www.uheefthetvoorhetzeggen.nl
The completed forms can be submitted to the Representation of the Netherlands or sent directly to The Hague (the address is on the form) and must be received by the government agencies on April 12.

Proof of Dutch citizenship
The completed registration form must be accompanied by a proof of Dutch citizenship (valid Dutch passport or valid Dutch ID, valid Neth.Antillean ID or a copy of a recent declaration of possessing the Dutch citizenship that can be obtained from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages).
Dutch citizens living in the Neth.Antilles can vote the same way as all other Dutch citizens not living in the Netherlands: per letter or by power of attorney by a voter in the Netherlands.  This was until recently only possible if the voter had lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years or worked for the Dutch public service.

The possibility to vote applies only to European elections.  The old rule for Lower House elections still applies to only voters that have lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years or worked for the Dutch public service.
For more information on the registration procedure and the voting self, please log on to www.uheefthetvoorhetzeggen.nl.
The ministry of Homeland Affairs and Kingdom Relations announced that ads will be placed in the different newspapers in the coming months and there will be radio sports to remind the new voters of their right to vote.

(Source: national newspaper Amigoe)

January 26, 2009