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


Related News

Website preview
Guy D'haeseleer sworn in as Flanders' first far-right mayor
Vlaams Belang politician Guy D'haeseleer was sworn in on Thursday as Flanders' first far-right mayor. His Forza Ninove list won a narrow absolute...
belganewsagency.eu
Website preview
Elections 2024: Federal police to investigate possible voting fraud in Ninove
The federal police will conduct an investigation into possible electoral fraud in the municipal elections in Ninove, East Flanders. Forza Ninove...
belganewsagency.eu
Website preview
Elections 2024: Forza Ninove secures absolute majority in East Flemish municipality
The right-wing Forza Ninove, led by Vlaams Belang politician Guy D'haeseleer, has secured an absolute majority in the East Flemish municipality...
belganewsagency.eu

 

Share

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About belganewsagency.eu

Belga News Agency delivers dependable, rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media. The information covers all sectors, from politics, economics and finance to social affairs, sports and culture, not to mention entertainment and lifestyle.

Every day, our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories, dozens of online information items, plus audio and video bulletins, all in both national languages. Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language.

For public institutions, businesses and various organisations that need reliable information, Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs.

Contact

Arduinkaai 29 1000 Brussels

www.belganewsagency.eu