On March 18, the Netherlands will go to the polls to elect the members of 342 local councils. European nationals and others who have lived here for more than five years can also vote – here’s what you need to know:

• What you need to know about the local elections on March 18
• A quick guide to the biggest political parties
• No election card? Here’s what you need to do

Our city coverage
Housing and litter dominate in Amsterdam
The housing crisis is the main issue in The Hague
A close race and hard choices in Rotterdam
Housing tops the concern list in Utrecht
Groningen is grappling with growth
Liveability is the focus in Leiden

Still to come: Eindhoven, Delft, Maastricht and Amstelveen

Other election news: Follow the local election section on the website

Voting aids
In total, 258 local councils have commissioned a Stemwijzer voting aid this time round and 50 have opted for a Kieskompas. Here are the English options:

• Amsterdam
• The Hague
• Diemen
• Haarlemmermeer
• Oegstgeest
• Veldhoven 
• Wageningen 
• Eindhoven
• Groningen
• Maastricht
•  Zaanstad

Election debates in English

March 10, The Hague
Hosted at The Hague Tech 

March 10, Maastricht
Maastricht University is hosting a debate featuring three of the biggest parties.

March 11, Delft
TU Delft will hold an election debate with the six largest parties on the city council.

March 11, Groningen
The University of Groningen is hosting a meeting entitled “We need to talk about the municipal elections”. Tickets (entrance is free) available here.

March 12, Leiden
Leiden International centre has organised an election edition of ‘Meet & Mingle’, a monthly English language gathering.

March 12, Amstelveen
“Bridging the Gap” is organising an English municipal election information panel,

March 13, Eindhoven
News Brainport has organised an election debate in the main council chamber featuring seven parties.

March 14, Utrecht
The VVD, D66, and GroenLinks/PvdA will host a political mixer.