Elections 2024: Around 250,000 Belgians to vote from abroad
A total of 255,469 Belgians abroad have registered to take part in the elections on 9 June 2024, the country's Foreign Affairs service announced in April.
Belgians living abroad had to register to vote before 31 March. They can only vote in the European and federal elections, not in the regional elections that will be held on the same day.
Among the voters who registered are 253,515 adults and more than 1,900 minors. Most want to vote by post, but polling stations will also be set up in consulates and embassies.
Underage voters
Around 537,000 Belgians currently live abroad, a number that has been increasing for several years. This number is probably an underestimate, as it only includes Belgians registered in the population registers of a Belgian consulate.
A record number of them registered to vote in the upcoming June elections. For the 2019 elections, only around 178,000 Belgians abroad registered to vote.
As of this year, Belgians aged 16 and 17 are also obliged to vote in the European elections. More than 1,900 underage Belgians abroad have registered to cast their ballot.
Polling stations abroad
A large majority of those registered wish to vote by post. Belgians living abroad must ensure that their ballots arrive at their constituency headquarters in Belgium by 14.00 on 9 June at the latest.
In addition, some 35,000 Belgians wish to vote at a consulate or embassy, where polling stations will be set up. Voting at these polling stations will take place on 5 June. Five stations will be set up in Paris and three in London.
Non-Belgian EU citizens living in Belgium must also register to vote. They can vote in the European elections, but only for Belgian candidates.
© BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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