Fewer immigrants are standing in the Netherlands' upcoming local council elections than four years ago.

A survey carried out by the University of Amsterdam has revealed that the number of such candidates has declined by six percent since 2006. Only the democrat party D66 and the Socialist Party are fielding more. The survey also revealed that the names of most immigrant candidates have been placed low on the actual voting lists. This greatly reduces their chances of being chosen to represent their parties.

The elections are to be held on 3 March. Several councils will be taking special steps in a bid to encourage as many voters as possible to go to the polls.

In The Hague, two mobile polling stations - a Voting Tram and a Voting Bus - will traverse the city throughout the day. In Amsterdam, polling stations will be set up in several hospitals and in Vroom and Dreesman department stores. Rotterdam plans to encourage commuters to vote by placing mobile polling bureaus at two of the city’s train stations: Central Station and Rotterdam Alexander.

Various other councils plan to stage nighttime pop concerts at which young voters will be granted free entry upon presentation of their voting card. Many councils also plan to open their polling stations promptly at midnight.

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