Nomination of candidates for the municipal council elections

On Monday 2 February 2026, parties must submit the required documents at the Municipal Desk between 09:00 and 17:00. Submissions are by appointment only. To make an appointment, please email verkiezingen [at] maastricht.nl (verkiezingen[at]maastricht[dot]nl).

Which documents must be submitted?

The documents to be submitted are prescribed by law:

• the nomination form (Model H1)
• a copy of valid ID for candidates who are not currently members of the municipal council
• declarations of support for the candidates list (Model H4)
• the declaration of consent to the nomination (Model H9)
• authorisation to place the name of a political party above the candidates list (Model H3-1)
• authorisation to place a combined party name above the candidates list (Model H3-2)
• declaration of intended residence.

Since 15 December 2025, the software needed to create all required forms has been available. This software, OSV, can be downloaded from the website of the Electoral Council (Kiesraad).

Payment of the deposit

Parties that do not currently hold a seat on the municipal council must pay a deposit of €225 in order to submit a candidates list.

The amount must be transferred to bank account NL68 BNGH 0285 1301 45, in the name of Municipality of Maastricht, stating: “deposit nomination + name of political party”.

Please make sure the payment is made no later than 19 January 2026. If the party obtains at least 75% of the electoral quota in the elections, the deposit will be refunded.

Exceptions

A deposit is not required in the following cases:

• the party already holds a seat on the municipal council
• a combination of party names is used and at least one of the parties won a seat in the previous municipal elections
• a merger of parties that all won seats in the previous municipal elections
• a merger of parties that submitted a joint list in the previous elections and won a seat.

Closed session: review of submitted candidates lists

On 3 February 2026, the Central Electoral Committee will review the submitted candidates lists and supporting documents in a closed session. The declarations of support and the candidates lists will be made available for public inspection at the GemeenteLoket.

View the official report of the hearing (in Dutch)

Deficiencies

If documents are missing or other deficiencies are identified during the review, the Central Electoral Committee will inform the person who submitted the list. Parties will be notified immediately.

Deficiencies can be corrected on Wednesday 4 February and Thursday 5 February, between 08:30 and 17:00.

Public session: validity of candidates lists

On Friday 6 February 2026, the Central Electoral Committee will decide, in a public session, on the validity of the candidates lists, the candidates themselves and the party names. During this session, each list will also be assigned a list number.

The municipality will publish the official report of this public session on this website and make it available for inspection.

Appeal to the Council of State

Any interested party or voter may appeal against a decision of the Central Electoral Committee concerning the validity of candidates lists. Appeals must be lodged within four days with the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State.

No appeal is possible against the numbering of candidates lists.