Elections for the advisory board: Vote for integration in Mayen-Koblenz!

Elections for the advisory board: Vote for integration in Mayen-Koblenz!

On November 10, 2024, citizens with a migration background who are eligible to vote will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the new Advisory Council for Migration and Integration (BMI) in the Mayen-Koblenz district. This election is a crucial opportunity to represent and promote the interests of people with a migrant background in local politics.

The advisory board plays a central role in the district. Not only is it committed to harmonious coexistence of all cultures and nationalities, but it also has the important task of fighting against prejudice and discrimination. The advisory board is also committed to improving the living conditions of children and young people with a migrant background in educational institutions and in the workplace. Another key aspect is promoting dialogue between different cultures.

Electoral process and participation

The elections will also take place on the same day in several cities, including Andernach and Mayen. A total of ten members are elected to the advisory board. The SPD Mayen-Koblenz has already submitted a list of 17 applicants, led by Mohamad Al Emam. The 32-year-old civil servant has five years of experience as chairman of the existing advisory board and has made a name for himself through numerous voluntary activities and as an interpreter. Al Emam aims to bridge the gap between people of different backgrounds and shows how valuable the contributions of migrants are to society.

Other candidates follow on his list, including Ayse Kilicaslan and Taylan Dahsöz, who also demonstrate a strong commitment to integration issues. All people who are at least 16 years old on election day, have lived in the district for three months and are foreign nationals or stateless are eligible to vote. These voters will automatically be added to the electoral roll.

In addition, there is the possibility for people who have acquired German citizenship to be registered in the electoral roll if they submit an application to the relevant local authority. The election takes place exclusively by postal vote, which is intended to ensure broad participation. Everyone who is on the electoral roll will automatically receive their documents by post.

The importance of this election cannot be understated. It not only offers a platform for the voice of migrants, but also makes a significant contribution to the further development of the integration process in the Mayen-Koblenz district. Such elections raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by diverse society and increase the visibility of migrant groups in the political landscape.

Preparations for the electoral process are already underway and political parties are mobilizing their electorate to keep turnout as high as possible. Al Emam and his colleagues are not only striving for representation on the advisory board, but also for greater exchange and networking between the various actors who are committed to integration.

Everything surrounding the elections and the candidates can be seen as an important step towards an inclusive society that uses diversity as a strength. The coming weeks will show how committed the population is to the offers of co-determination and to what extent the new advisory board members can sustainably change the integration climate in the district. For further information on this topic, see the current reporting on www.blick-aktuell.de.