During the elections, we all cast a vote at the polling station. But what happens to our vote afterwards? How do we ultimately arrive at our election results? Voting is still done manually in the Netherlands. A box is colored in with a red pencil. Trials with electronic voting have so far proven unsuccessful.
Sitting at the polling station
There are members of the polling station at the polling station who ensure good order. This is a minimum of three and a maximum of seven people. Anyone who would like to sit at a polling station can register for this at the municipality. In some municipalities people receive compensation for this and in some municipalities they do not. Taking a seat at a polling station is quite a responsibility, especially for the chairman of the polling station. This is usually a municipal councilor or committee member. He or she is responsible for the affairs of a polling station.
Duties of polling station members
The polling station members jointly ensure a correct official report. This report contains the names of the polling station members present and the progress of the vote. This means that everything that happens that day must be recorded in the official report.
The following is recorded in the official report:
- Number of voters not admitted
- Number of voters who have registered and been admitted
- Number of ballots
- Number of votes cast
- Objections and comments from voters present
- Irregularities
Before the polling station opens, it is first checked whether everything is present and whether the polling station is properly set up. The ballot boxes are checked and once they are satisfied that they are empty, they are sealed. The ballots present are counted.
During the vote, the ID of each voter is checked and the validity of the voting card, voter card or proxy card is checked. The ID may have been expired for a maximum of five years. If something is not right, the person in question is not allowed to vote and the voting card, voter card or proxy must be withdrawn. Furthermore, it is ensured that the voting takes place in an orderly manner and that order is not disrupted. If the normal course of events is obstructed and it is no longer possible to keep an overview, the hearing will be adjourned. Only the chairman may make this decision.
If there is a nuisance campaigning for a particular party outside the polling station or if other matters are taking place that cause you to feel inconvenienced, it is best to report this at the polling station. The chairman has a duty to do something about this. The idea is that you can cast your vote in peace and quiet without being bothered by campaigning parties.
What is not allowed while voting?
- Two of you are not allowed in the voting booth.
- Small children are not allowed to color voices for their parents.
- You may not put anything on the ballot that could reveal your identity. If you do this, your vote will be declared invalid.
- You are not allowed to take your ballot home with you.
- You may not disrupt order or hinder other voters.
Counting votes
After the vote, the votes are counted. This happens at the polling station itself. Interested parties are allowed to monitor the voting as long as they do not hinder voters. Members of the various political parties may also supervise the counting of votes. When everything is correct and there are as many votes as ballot papers have been issued, the result is passed on to the municipality. The ballot papers and the official report are also brought here so that some checks can be carried out. The envelopes are sealed at the polling station. The municipality therefore does not carry out any checks on the count. If a recount needs to take place, this will be done by the members of the relevant polling station.