Voting by procuration

Are you unable to go to the polls on election day for a valid reason? Give your proxy to someone you trust. They will then be able to vote in your place.

However, this proxy will only be accepted if :

• You are ill or disabled (supporting medical certificate)
• You are working on that day (with a certificate from your employer)
• You are on holiday abroad (supporting certificate issued by the mayor)
• You are deprived of your liberty (supporting certificate issued by the establishment)

Who can I give power of attorney to?

You can give your proxy to any other voter as long as that voter has the same voting obligations as you. A Belgian voter can therefore generally only appoint another voter of Belgian nationality. Choose someone you trust who will respect your voting intentions!

How do I appoint a proxy?

1. Complete the proxy form and attach your certificates.

2. On polling day, your replacement (proxy) must go to your polling station in possession of these documents (proxy form + certificates) as well as his or her own invitation and identity document.

https://youtu.be/yFRVX6G7Lkw

I can't get to the polling station

Are you unable to vote on polling day and have not given a proxy? Inform the justice of the peace in your canton as soon as possible. He will decide whether or not the reasons for your absence are valid in the eyes of the law.  If not, he may take legal action against you.

Contact your local authority to obtain the contact details of the Justice of the Peace.

Electronic voting

The advantages of electronic voting
If you're used to voting on paper, don't you see the point of complicating elections by replacing good old-fashioned ballot boxes with computers? There are several reasons for doing so!

Firstly, electronic voting allows votes to be counted more quickly and more reliably than paper ballots. And why is that?  Quite simply because it is not subject to human error. Your vote is recorded in the system and confirmed by scanning your barcode. There's no room for ambiguity!

It's also easier to handle in small polling booths. There's no need to struggle with huge ballot papers. A simple touch of the screen is all it takes! Your joints will thank you!

Last but not least, it considerably reduces the number of assessors needed to ensure that voting goes smoothly. As the counting process is simplified, the number of citizens called to the polling station is considerably reduced. This enables local authorities to make savings (fewer assessors to pay) and citizens to avoid this onerous duty.

How do I vote electronically? 

Do you find computers a real headache and worry that you don't know what to do in front of the machine? Don't panic, the touch screen will guide you step by step through the voting process. All you have to do is press your finger against the screen to make your choices.

If you really can't understand how the machine works, don't hesitate to ask the chairman or an assessor for help. They'll be able to guide you.

In the meantime, here's a video to help you familiarise yourself with the electronic voting process:

https://youtu.be/Fc0PkciyLq0

I've lost my invitation to vote or my identity card

Have you lost your invitation to vote or simply not received it? Go to your commune as soon as possible. You will receive a copy.

Lost your identity card? Go to your local police station. You'll receive a certificate that you can show on election day.