Rules for campaigning in election time

No election propaganda in and at polling stations on March 18, 2026

At the polling station, it is strictly forbidden to influence voters in any way in their choice of vote. If election advertising or displays do occur, the polling station chairperson must immediately put a stop to them.

To ensure that polling officials remain neutral, they are not allowed to show any political affiliation while working. This means, for example, that they may not wear clothing, pins or accessories belonging to any political party.

No election advertising or displays may also take place outside the polling place on Election Day within 50 meters of the polling place. All advertising must be removed the day before election day.

Placing objects on or at the road according to the APV

The General Municipal Regulation (APV) includes the following:

Article 2:5 Permit for placing objects on or near the road

1.a. It shall be unlawful, without or in derogation of a permit, to use a road or portion of a road other than in accordance with its public function as:
1.b. The permit shall be granted by the competent authority as an environmental permit.

Where to advertise without a permit?

Participating parties are allowed to advertise in public spaces during election time. The municipality of Zoetermeer offers the following possibilities for this, among others.

1. Election signs

One tool that parties participating in the election can use is the Trotter election sign. The municipality of Zoetermeer has chosen to place 15 such signs. On these Trotters, all parties are displayed in one overview in order of list numbering.

Parties participating in the election can digitally submit their posters to the operator of these Trotter election signs. Parties will receive more information about this in time.

We will have these election signs posted after the completion of the candidacy process because at that time the list numbering will be known. You can contact Imagebuilding for further information. Please see the website Election Sign | Trotter with pre-printed election posters (imagebuilding.com).

2. Free posting areas / columns.

In Zoetermeer we have 14 free poster sites (billboards). On these billboards anyone may announce by means of posters, messages (expressions of opinion) and events (announcements).

The posting of commercial advertising (brand and product advertising) and obscene, racist or offensive posters and/or texts are not permitted. These are punishable and will be removed.

The billboards are cleaned 3 times a year:

• late January - early February
• late May - early June
• late October - early November

Mutual agreements and responsibility

The municipality of Zoetermeer makes the billboards available as a public facility for expression and announcements. During election periods, political parties also make use of them.

However, the municipality is not responsible for compliance with any mutual agreements between parties regarding the use of available space on the billboards. Should any ambiguity or friction arise, the parties are expected to discuss and resolve this constructively among themselves, outside the involvement of the PBC and election organization.

See above: www.zoetermeer.nl/vrije-aanplakplaatsen

3. Sandwich Signs

No loose sandwich or triangle signs may be placed around lampposts, trees or otherwise. In Zoetermeer, however, fixed locations with fixed sandwich boards are visible which are operated by ESH Media. Reserving space via the fixed sandwich boards attached to lampposts can only be done via www.eshmedia.nl.

4. Flyer

By flyering we mean handing out advertising materials on the street. If political parties (have) flyers distributed, they are responsible for removing discarded flyers from the street. If not, the municipality will charge for clean-up costs.

The costs involved in removing / clearing unauthorized advertising will be recovered from the violator.