(Election to the European Parliament: 10 June 2004)
1. LEGAL BASIS
Since 28 January 1993 European Parliament elections have been governed by
the Electoral Law (Kieswet), last update 7 March 2002.
2. ELECTORAL SYSTEM
The number of Dutch MEPS will drop from 31 to 27.
Pure proportional representation on a
national basis. No threshold.
Allocation of seats: d'Hondt method.
Preference voting.
3. REGISTRATION OF CANDIDATES
Deadline for registration: 28 April
2004.
Deposit: EUR 11 250 for parties not
represented in the outgoing European Parliament. The deposit is refunded by the
State only if the party obtains at least three-quarters of the "electoral
divisor" (the minimum number of votes required to win one seat).
Conditions: Lists submitted must be accompanied by the
signatures of at least 30 voters. Lists represented in the outgoing European
Parliament with more than 15 seats may contain twice the number of their seats,
others may contain no more than 30.
Incompatibilities: Those laid down in
the 1976 Act on Elections to the European Parliament, together with those
relating to the national parliament (see law of 13 December 1978, as amended by
law of 24 June 1992). (In practice, the parties currently represented in the EP
do not allow dual mandates.)
4. POLLING DAY : THURSDAY 10 JUNE 2004 (7.30 am to 9
pm)
Other elections on the same day:
Polling hours: 7.30 am to 9 pm
The count begins:
Final results: to be announced on
Sunday 13 June 2004.
5. VOTING / STANDING FOR ELECTION
Right to vote: All EU citizens aged 18
or over who are in full possession of their voting rights in their Member State
of origin may vote.
Voting is not compulsory.
Netherlands citizens resident abroad may vote by proxy
or by post.
Right to stand for election: Any EU
citizen aged 18 or over who is in full possession of his right to stand as a
candidate in his Member State of origin may stand for election.
6. ELECTION CAMPAIGN
Funding:
Official campaign starting date:
None.
Media access: Broadcasting time is allotted by the
government.
Opinion polls: No restrictions or
prohibitions up to polling day.
