Zaanstad unveils statue to highlight importance of voting in upcoming elections
A life-size statue of young voter Bryan Luhukay now stands in Zaanstad, symbolizing the power of every vote in the March 18 municipal elections. With voter turnout declining, this campaign aims to remind residents that their voice shapes local decisions on housing, schools, and sports facilities.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Statue Unveiled For | Bryan Luhukay (23), a resident of Krommenie, Zaanstad |
| Location | Gedempte Gracht, Zaandam; now displayed at Krommenie library |
| Campaign | ‘Every voter deserves a statue’ by Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations |
| Election Date | March 18, 2026 |
| Other Cities Involved | Almere, Enschede, Tiel, Tilburg, Schiedam |
| Digital Statue Option | Available at elkestemmer.nl |
| Election Info | zaanstad.nl/verkiezingen |
The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) oversees democratic processes in the Netherlands, including municipal elections. By launching campaigns like this, BZK aims to boost civic engagement and emphasize the role of local governance in shaping communities.
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Life-size statue unveiled for voter
Alderwoman Natasja Groothuismink unveiled a statue of Bryan Luhukay (23) on Friday, February 27, on the Gedempte Gracht in Zaandam. Not because he is famous, but because he is going to vote in the municipal elections on March 18. On March 18, you can help decide who the new municipal councillors will be. They make choices about, for example, the construction of new homes, sports facilities, and schools. Voter turnout in elections has been declining for years. That is why the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) launched the national campaign ‘Every voter deserves a statue’. In this campaign, the voter is central: not politics, but the people who vote.
Bryan: ‘Voting is important’
Bryan is a young resident who symbolises all voters in our municipality. Bryan is particularly drawn to the cultural diversity of the residents of Zaanstad: ‘I am a quarter Moluccan, a quarter Javanese, a quarter Surinamese, and a quarter Dutch, and I feel completely at home here. I have lived my whole life in Krommenie and know the surrounding areas well. There is so much variety in each municipality, where people from different backgrounds live. That, in my opinion, is what truly makes Zaanstad, Zaanstad.’
Bryan: ‘When I tell people this, they often don’t believe me at first. But when I explain it, they find it especially fun. It also often leads directly to the topic of voting. I sometimes hear people speak about it casually, saying things like “what difference does one vote make?” And yet every vote counts. Your vote could just make the difference. I hope my statue makes the importance of voting in Zaanstad visible.’
Bryan: ‘You can voice your opinion about the place where you spend every day’
‘Here, as a voter, you can voice your opinion about the governance of the place where you spend every day. So isn’t that a no-brainer? I’m not particularly active in politics, but I always vote. Having an opinion is part of being human, and during elections, you can share that opinion in a meaningful way.’ As the owner of a karate school, he particularly values art, culture, and sports as important themes.
‘I always vote for a party that I believe does good things for the municipality. In the area of sports, a lot is made possible for all residents of Zaanstad. For example, there are community sports days, so that people who are less well-off can also enjoy sports. I am happy to support this and always participate with my karate school.’
Create your own digital statue
Anyone who wants to can also create their own digital statue. This can be done by taking a photo on the website elkestemmer.nl
Statue now on display at the library in Krommenie
Would you like to see Bryan’s statue? The statue is now on display at the library in Krommenie. Life-size statues of residents who symbolise all voters were also unveiled on February 27 in Almere, Enschede, Tiel, Tilburg, and Schiedam.
More information about the elections in Zaanstad?
Would you like more information about the elections in Zaanstad? Visit www.zaanstad.nl/verkiezingen
Photographer Anne Marie Ostendorf