Awet from Eritrea votes for a better asylum policy: "I hope politicians listen"
At the Here To Support foundation, there are alternative voting booths where you can vote if you do not have the right to vote. A total of hundreds of people voted prior to the official elections at similar locations throughout the Netherlands. Awet, a refugee from Eritrea, says, "The Dutch government is not listening to me. I hope the new politicians do want to listen".
Politically involved even without a passport
If you are still in the Dutch asylum procedure or living in the Netherlands without the proper papers you may still vote at the special election campaign "Your Vote, My Choice". Even if you do have a temporary residence permit, you can still cast your vote. Special ballot boxes have been opened in various places in the Netherlands prior to the elections.
Everyone who votes there has one thing in common: they do not have a Dutch passport and are therefore not allowed to vote in the Dutch parliamentary elections. However, thanks to this election campaign by Here to Support and Stichting ROS, they can share their political ideas for the Netherlands even without a Dutch passport.
Awet: "I am voting for a better asylum policy"
Awet, himself a refugee from Eritrea, says, "Politicians should be good to refugees and respect them". He hopes things will change after the election so that he can study, work and have a good life.
But most of all he wants his sisters to be able to come to the Netherlands. They currently live in Sudan where there is war. "I worry about their safety and hope they can build a future in the Netherlands," says Awet. "That is why I am voting for a better asylum policy and why I think it is important to participate in this campaign".
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Benjamin: "I want to be able to participate in Dutch society"
Benjamin from Ghana also thinks the campaign is important. "My voice also needs to be heard," he emphasises. Because right now he does not feel heard. "I participate in the Netherlands. I live here, work here and pay for the services I use. But because I have no papers, I am officially not part of Dutch society".
Benjamin wants it to be easier to get documents so he can fully participate in life in the Netherlands. "Life without documents is difficult and I think I can contribute a lot if it is officially allowed," he said.
Fanny: "Housing is an important issue for the people who vote with us"
On special ballots you write down at the alternative polling station what issues you think are important. And what you think should change in the Netherlands. It is striking that many voters are not only interested in asylum. Most are also interested in the issue of housing. Fanny from Here To Support: "Just like people with Dutch citizenships, voters here want the government to commit to affordable housing".
"This campaign gives me a voice"
The ballots will be distributed on 22 November, the day of the official elections, to Dutch people who are allowed to vote. Thus, while voting, they can consider the wishes of someone who is unable to vote. After the official elections, Here to Support and ROS will share key points with the new politicians who will lead the Netherlands.
By the end of the campaign, more than 100 alternative voters in Amsterdam alone have already made it known what is important to them. "This campaign gives me a voice," say the voters. Even without an official right to vote, you can powerfully voice your opinions and concerns here. "I hope politicians will also do something with it," Benjamin concludes.