How your vote is counted: transparency in the 2026 Dutch elections
On 18 March 2026, your vote in the Dutch elections will be counted publicly, ensuring transparency. You can observe the process at polling stations or via livestream, with preliminary results announced the same evening in Haarlemmermeer.
| Key Data Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Voting Day | 18 March 2026, 07:30–21:00 |
| Polling Station Count | Starts at 21:00 on 18 March (party-level results) |
| Central Count | 19 March 2026, VanZantenhal, Nieuw-Vennep (candidate-level results) |
| Results Evening | 18 March, 20:30–01:00, Beukenhorst, Hoofddorp (preliminary party results) |
| Livestream | Available via YouTube |
| Final Municipal Record | Compiled by 26 March 2026 |
| Public Observation | Allowed at polling stations and central count (space permitting) |
The municipality of Haarlemmermeer oversees the electoral process, ensuring votes are counted accurately and transparently. This includes organizing public counts and compiling official records to uphold democratic integrity.
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Read the full translated article below
How votes are counted
You can vote on 18 March 2026 from 7:30 to 21:00. After 21:00, polling station staff and counters begin counting the votes. This count is public, meaning you can observe the process at the polling stations.
On Wednesday, 18 March 2026 at 21:00, polling stations will close. After that, polling station staff will begin counting the votes at the party level. This means the number of votes per party will be tallied. The counters will also record the number of invalid and blank votes. All this information will be included in the report, the official record (proces-verbaal), for each polling station.
Central counting
On Thursday, 19 March 2026, counters from the municipal polling station will count all votes at the candidate level. This will take place in the VanZantenhal in Nieuw-Vennep.
After the count
The chair of the municipal polling station will compile all the figures into an official record. All members of the municipal polling station will sign it. All figures from all polling stations will be added together at the municipal polling station and recorded in the municipal official record (on Thursday, 26 March).
Observing the count
You can visit a polling station without an appointment from 21:00 on 18 March or attend the central count in the VanZantenhal in Nieuw-Vennep from 08:30 on 19 March. Simply indicate that you wish to observe the process, and you will be allowed in if space permits. You may watch the count but may not assist. If you believe something is not proceeding correctly, you may raise an objection on the spot. The chair will note this in the official record.
Highlighted text: Haarlemmermeer results eveningOn 18 March, from 20:30 to 01:00, a results evening will be held at the municipal office Beukenhorst, Taurusavenue 100 in Hoofddorp. During the event, the preliminary results at the party level from all polling stations in Haarlemmermeer will be announced. The results evening will continue until all results have been received. Please note: this is not yet the final result.Those interested are welcome to attend the results evening. Admission is free and registration is not required. The results evening can also be followed via a livestream.