Voting started in the Dutch general election on Monday, which is being held over three days to ensure proper social distancing at polling stations.

Polling stations opened nationwide at 7.30am and will close at 9pm over the next three days. In total, nearly 13 million people are eligible to vote, and everyone over the age of 70 was sent a postal vote so they could avoid potential queues.

Not all polling stations are open on Monday but 1,600 are.

On Monday, for example, voters can have their say at six railway stations – Utrecht Centraal, Bilthoven, Den Bosch, Hilversum, Leiden Centraal and Schiedam Centrum. Schools, churches, theatres and even private homes have been turned into polling stations.

Unlike during previous elections, campaigning is continuing throughout the three-day voting period and opinion polls have not be banned.

The 2021 general election: what you need to know