Saint Josse-ten-Noode (Eurotoday) – The citizens of Saint Josse-ten-Noode will vote again on February 9, 2025, after officials annulled the October election due to irregularities in proxy voting. The political landscape features five active candidate lists with a total of 132 nominees, including the current Mayor, Emir Kir.
Residents of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode must return to the polls on February 9, 2025, after the original election on October 13, 2024, was cancelled due to flawed proxy voting procedures. A special election was mandated by the BRU court’s decision, allowing residents to choose from five lists and 132 candidates. Polling stations will be open from 08:00 to 16:00, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process amid previous concerns over irregularities.
The LB party won the October 2024 elections with an absolute majority, securing 50.5% of the votes. However, irregular proxy voting and allegations of electoral fraud led to an official investigation. Ahmed Mouhssin (Ecolo-Groen) commented,
“We found at least 300 to 350 problematic proxy votes.”
The Brussels Court of Law highlighted flaws in the proxy voting system, citing missing signatures, incomplete voting data, and the absence of valid certificates.
These procedural issues led to the annulment of the election results. Authorities determined that a re-vote was necessary to uphold democratic principles and prevent electoral manipulation. As PS alderman Philippe Boïketé explained,
“All three parties could have gained an extra seat, only we don’t know how the 300 irregular votes would have been distributed.“
The candidates for the re-election are:
- Engagés-cd&v-MR-VLD (led by Saïd Benhammou)
- ECOLO-GROEN (led by Ahmed Mouhssin)
- PS : Parti Socialiste (led by Philippe Boïketé)
- TEAM FOUAD AHIDAR (led by Ibrahim Dankus), with a list of 16 candidates
- List du Bourgmestre or LB (led by Emir Kir)
New and stricter protocols have been introduced to prevent the recurrence of past issues. Jonas Declercq, spokesperson for the regional administration Local Authorities, stated,
“Unlike October, when the municipalities trained the polling station chairpeople, the region provided its own training this time.”
He emphasized that additional checks have been implemented to scrutinize proxy voting.
Polling station chairs have received specific training to identify suspicious proxy votes and behaviors similar to those observed in the October election. Under the new system, only proxies registered as Saint-Josse residents can vote on behalf of others, ensuring accountability. According to the elections.Brussels website,
“Voters from other communes in Brussels or other regions cannot therefore vote on your behalf.”
The background of Saint-Josse’s election troubles
Saint-Josse is the only municipality in Brussels yet to form a municipal council after the October elections, making it a unique case. The ongoing legal disputes and the necessity of a reelection process have placed the municipality in an extended state of political uncertainty.
Additionally, beyond the Brussels parliamentary proceedings,
“A second investigation from the Brussels public prosecutor’s office into Emir Kir’s campaign is also underway.“
The accusations against Levent Kir involve alleged misuse of municipal resources for campaign purposes, including employing municipal communication advisors
Comments
3 responses to “Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Election Re-Run Scheduled for February 9”
-
Oh, fantastic! A do-over election in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode—because nothing says democracy like a second chance to mess it all up! 😏 I just hope the only irregularities this time are the snacks at the polling stations, not the votes! 🍕🥳
-
Oh joy, another trip to the polling booths in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode! 🎉 Can’t wait to see if the same candidates can “innovate” their way to victory with a fresh batch of questionable proxy votes—it’s like déjà vu, but with more paperwork! 🗳️😏
-
Looks like Saint-Josse-ten-Noode’s got a hot date again with the ballot box—because who doesn’t love a repeat performance of electoral drama? 🎭 Just a cheeky reminder that democracy here is like a fine wine: you might have to uncork it a few times before it’s actually drinkable! 🍷
-
Isn’t it just delightful that the good folks of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode get a second chance to pick their leaders, as if the first round was more of a practice run? 🗳️ I mean, who doesn’t love a bit of electoral déjà vu? 😂
Last News
Georgia Tightens Controls on Media and NGOs with Harsh New Laws
Sudan: Civilian Death Toll Triples in a Week as Violence Intensifies
The number of civilian deaths in Sudan has surged dramatically, marking a threefold increase from the previous week. At least 89 civilians lost their lives last week due to intensifying hostilities. The situation has been further exacerbated by worsening violence in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, where a humanitarian
Are Economics and Ecology Inseparable in the EU Institutions’ Climate Politics Framing?
A recent World Meteorological Organization (WMO) analysis indicates that for at least one of the next five years, the average global temperature will temporarily exceed pre-industrial levels by 1.5°C.
Amid this escalating climate crisis, the European Parliament declared a climate emergency in November 2019, urging the European Commission to implement measures to curb temperature increases (1.5°C
EU: Proposed Legislation in RS Poses Risks to Fundamental Rights and BiH’s European Aspirations
US can increase sanctions on Putin, says Trump’s former Ukraine-Russia envoy
Donald Trump’s adviser, Keith Kellogg, emphasized that military pressure alone is not enough to resolve the war in Ukraine. “You have to apply economic and diplomatic pressure as well,” he told The Washington Post.
Kellogg highlighted Trump’s understanding of leverage, stating, “If there̵
Over a Million in Gaza Receive Food Aid Since Ceasefire Began
Increased Humanitarian Aid
The truce, which took effect on 19 January, has allowed for a significant increase in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the UN Office for the Coord
Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Election Re-Run Scheduled for February 9
Saint Josse-ten-Noode (Eurotoday) – The citizens of Saint Josse-ten-Noode will vote again on February 9, 2025, after officials annulled the October election due to irregularities in proxy voting. The political landscape features five active candidate lists with a total of 132 nominees, including the current Mayor, Emir Kir.
Residents of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode must return to the polls on February
EU-Supported Initiative: Two Energy-Efficient Dormitories Established at University Campus in Albania
The newly opened buildings feature well-appointed sleeping rooms with private showers and toilets, communal reading rooms, kitchens, and di
Germany’s Habeck questions potential coalition with conservatives
Guterres Urges Complete Gaza Ceasefire, Denounces ‘Ethnic Cleansing’
The United Nations Secretary-General recently addressed the latest session of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, where new leadership was elected, and the committee’s work plan for the year was established.
The Secretary-General’s remarks came shortly after U.S. President Donald
Leave a Reply