On 2025-05-20 09:54:00, Belgian authorities intensified their investigation into election irregularities involving volmachtformulieren, or proxy voting forms. The public prosecutor’s office seized all such forms in October to verify if any misuse had occurred during recent local elections.
- Parket seized all proxy forms in October
- Investigation targets vote solicitation and forgeries
- Incidents with proxies occurred in other provinces
- Ex-mayor Tanja De Jonghe expresses shock
- Positief Ninove filed no election objections
The probe focuses on allegations of vote-rigging and possibly forged medical certificates used to justify proxy votes. Similar incidents involving volmachten have also been reported in other provinces, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Former Ninove mayor Tanja De Jonghe expressed being “stunned” by the developments. Notably, her party, Positief Ninove, chose not to file any objections with the Council for Electoral Disputes in November, adding another layer of complexity to the case. What does this mean for voter trust in Belgium’s democratic system? And how will authorities ensure future elections remain transparent?
Could these allegations undermine confidence in Belgium’s voting procedures? The situation prompts critical reflection on safeguards against electoral fraud. Key points include:
- Seizure of proxy voting forms to detect irregularities
- Focus on vote solicitation and falsified medical certificates
- Incidents reported beyond Ninove, suggesting a wider issue
- Political parties’ varied responses to the investigation
Moving forward, Belgian authorities must strengthen oversight mechanisms and engage citizens to restore faith in elections. Will reforms follow to prevent such issues in future voting cycles? The coming months will be crucial for addressing these challenges.
