Electoral fraud in Belgium's 24 municipal elections: Allegations surrounding Forza Ninove

Belgium's 2024 local elections have come under scrutiny in Ninove, a town in south-eastern East Flanders. Strong evidence now points to Forza Ninove, the far-right party accused of using fraudulent proxy votes to secure an outright majority.
An investigation by public broadcaster VRT NWS uncovered irregularities in proxy voting - where people unable to vote in person appoint someone to vote on their behalf - using fraudulent medical certificates as supporting documents. The certificates had changed patient names, while signatures, stamps and dates were repeatedly duplicated.
The problem came to light on election day, 13 October 2024, when polling officials discovered a forged medical certificate attached to a proxy vote. Similar cases were subsequently discovered at other polling stations. In Ninove, proxies accounted for one in 14 votes - a remarkably high proportion compared to the national average.
Smear campaign
Forza Ninove, led by Guy D'haeseleer, narrowly won 47.4% of the vote, partly through proxy votes. Prosecutors are investigating the extent of the alleged fraud, with charges of forgery carrying a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
D'haeseleer has denied any involvement and dismissed the allegations as a "smear campaign". Although the investigation is ongoing, the legal deadlines for challenging the election results have passed, meaning that Forza Ninove's majority remains intact for the current legislature.
#FlandersNewsService | Ninove mayor Guy D'haeseleer (left) and Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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