WILLEMSTAD – More than 110,000 residents of Curaçao will be eligible to cast their votes on March 21 for a new Parliament. Voter registration closed just before Christmas. All individuals registered in Curaçao, aged 18 or older by March 20, and holding Dutch nationality are eligible to vote.
Non-Dutch nationals with a local sedula (ID card) are not permitted to vote. Additionally, Curaçao residents living abroad or those who will not be on the island on election day cannot participate, as proxy voting is not allowed.
Key Dates Leading to the Elections
Preparations for Curaçao’s elections include several significant milestones:
January 23: Political parties must submit their candidate lists at the new Electoral Council office on Scharlooweg 11, between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
February 1-2: Pre-election days for parties without current parliamentary seats. These parties must gather at least 848 support signatures, equivalent to 1% of the valid votes from the last election, to qualify for participation.
February 7: Candidate lists are finalized, with no further changes permitted after this date.
February 13: The Electoral Council assigns numbers and colors to participating parties, completing the preparations for voting day.
On March 21, voting will take place from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM at 107 polling stations, including one at the SDKK prison.
Elections Amid Carnival Festivities
The election preparations coincide with Curaçao’s vibrant carnival season, adding a unique dynamic to the process. To ensure a smooth and transparent election, approximately 1,500 staff members will be on duty on election day.
With just weeks to go, Curaçao gears up for an electoral process that promises to shape the island’s political landscape.