Election campaign for electoral colleges for the Senate launched
A recent constitutional amendment means that the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba as of 2019, like all other parts of the Netherlands, will be able to influence the Senate’s composition. To this aim, a so-called electoral college for the Senate will be established for each island. These electoral colleges will consist of people’s representatives who, along with the provincial council members, will vote for the members of the Senate.
The Dutch parliament consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives can submit, amend and approve bills. The Senate votes on draft laws that have already been adopted by the House of Representatives. In contrast to the House of Representatives, members of the Senate are not elected directly by the Dutch population but by members of the provincial councils and, as of 2019, also by the members of the electoral colleges.
A member of an electoral college has the sole task of electing the members of the Senate and is in no way involved in the execution of the administrative tasks of the Public Entity. Residents with the Dutch nationality can submit their candidacy for the electoral college of the island where they live until February 4, 2019. On March 20, 2019 electoral college elections will take place, where Dutch residents can vote for the members of the electoral colleges. This is the same day as the Island Council elections on Bonaire and Saba.
This week, RCN will launch an information campaign to inform residents with the right to stand as a candidate about the nomination process. Various communication tools are used, such as advertisements, radio and TV spots and Facebook. Potential candidates and voters can also find more information at www.rijksdienstcn.com/electoralcollege2019
RCN is implementing the information campaign on behalf of the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. The Public Entities are responsible for organizing the elections.