Some 56% of the people eligible to vote in Wednesday’s general election bothered to do, pundits said shortly after the polls closed at 9pm.

Four years ago, turnout was 58%, according to market research group Synovate, which has been monitoring voter behaviour all day.
In the Hague and Almere, the only two places where Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam PVV party is contesting the local vote, turnover was higher than in 2006.
In Amsterdam and Rotterdam, however, turnout was forecast to be well below the national average.
The first exit polls are expected around 10pm.