More people with a Moroccan background should exercise their right to vote, Moroccan Dutch organisation (SMN) said at the launch of a campaign to encourage participation in the upcoming national elections on October 29.

“The turnout among our community has been very low for years,” SMN coordinator Habib el Kaddouri told broadcaster NOS.

“The political climate is prejudicing many Dutch Moroccans. There is little trust. In the last few years, comments have been made and legislation introduced that have put people on the defensive,” he said.

There are no exact turnout figures for the different population groups because of privacy rules, according to political science lecturer Lucas Vermeulen.

“Research has shown that the turnout among people with Surinamese and Moroccan backgrounds is lower than average,” he said. One of the reasons is a feeling that politicians do not represent their interests, he added.

Some 20% of voters have a migration background, Vermeulen said. “The Turkish community is known to be well-organised, with big networks that motivate people to go and vote. Other communities lack those networks. Dutch Turks vote more often than Dutch Moroccans.”

The SMN hopes to stop the trend, El Kaddouri said. “If you don’t use your vote, you are giving space to parties that don’t care about your rights and interests,” he said.

The campaign, hashtagged #pakjestemterug (reclaim your vote) comprises videos and podcasts which can be seen on social media from October 1. There will also be meetings across the country.

Vermeulen is not confident the campaign will lead to a higher turnout among Dutch Moroccans. “But to emphasise the importance of participation is always meaningful,” he said.

“Many people feel they don’t belong. They see politicians who are anti-Islam or who exclude people and they keep away. But democracy only works if everyone participates.”

“We hope we can inspire people to vote,” El Kaddouri said. “Vote for whatever party you like, but join in the democratic process.”