Dutch nationals living abroad have until February 1 to register their intention to vote in next year’s electoral college ballot – which will influence the make up of the upper house of parliament or senate.

It is the first time Dutch expats will have been able to have an impact on the make-up of the senate, following a change in the voting regulations earlier this year.

Dutch expats cannot vote in the provincial elections per se, but they can vote on March 15 for a new electoral college, whose members will then vote alongside provincial councillors for the 75 members of the senate.

Dutch nationals who live outside the Netherlands and are not registered with a local authority will vote via a central registration system in The Hague. Once the form is filled in and sent off, together with a copy of your Dutch ID, you will receive confirmation when it arrives in The Hague and again when you have been included in the register.

Voting itself takes place by post although the ballot is sent by email. If you live on Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten you will receive your voting documents through the Netherlands Representative Office.

The 570 members of the 12 provincial councils, plus the members of the expat electoral college, will go on to elect the 75 members of the senate on May 30.