Dutch parliamentary elections: 31 political parties registered
A total of 31 parties registered to take part in the parliamentary elections in the Netherlands on March 15th by submitting their lists of candidates on Monday, the Electoral Council announced on Tuesday, ANP reports.
A record number of 81 parties initially showed interest in taking part in the election, but 50 of them drop out for one reason or another. In the previous parliamentary elections in 2012, 48 parties initially registered but only 21 parties actually participated.
Several parties who handed in their candidate lists on Monday were told that they don't have all the formalities in order, such as submitting support statements if you are a new party. They have until Friday to get everything in order. Then the list of parties participating in the 2017 parliamentary elections will be revealed.
Several new parties complain that they were hindered by unclear rules and uninformed or unwilling officials. Independent parliamentarian Norbert Klein, who wants to take part in the elections with his new party Vrijzinnige Partij, is demanding clarification from Minister Ronald Plasterk of Home Affairs.
Even if all 31 parties actually participate in the elections, they will all fit on the regular ballot, according to the news wire. An extra wide ballot, which may lead to clogged ballot boxes, will not be necessary.
