Lokeren (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Koewacht, split between Moerbeke, part of Lokeren, and Stekene, will hold a vote on October 12-13, 2025, for residents 16+ to decide their municipal affiliation. Mayors Filip Anthuenis and Stany De Rechter urge participation.
As VRT News reported, Koewacht is a village in Belgium that is divided between 2 municipalities. One part belongs to Stekene, while the other is in Moerbeke, which is part of Lokeren. Residents in the Lokeren section who are 16 years or older will soon receive an official invitation to vote.
The vote is scheduled for October 12th and 13th, 2025. It is part of the current governing agreement, which allows residents to indicate whether they want to remain in Lokeren or join Stekene. Mayor Anthuenis confirmed that the consultation allows citizens to decide on the future municipal affiliation of their village.
What will Koewacht residents decide for their municipal future?
The vote will take place in the deconsecrated church of Koewacht. Residents are asked to attend on the designated dates to cast their votes. The results of the consultation could lead to a change in the village’s municipal boundaries.
“If more than half of Lokeren’s Koewacht residents prefer to stay with Stekene, Lokeren is happy to give up that territory.”
Filip Antuenis, Mayor of Lokeren (Local Liberal)
Voting in Koewacht is not compulsory, but both Lokeren and Stekene are asking residents to take part. Mayor Stany De Rechter of Stekene (Open VLD) said it would not make a major difference for Stekene if the Koewacht residents in Moerbeke decided to join the municipality. Still, it is important for both municipalities that as many people as possible vote.
“It would be a shame if only a few people come to vote; giving them a choice is important.”
Stany De Rechter (Open VLD), mayor of Stekene
After the votes are counted, the results will be presented to the municipal councils of Lokeren and Stekene. If more than half of eligible voters choose to join Stekene, both councils must submit a “request for correction” to the Flemish government. If the request is approved, the official boundary between the 2 municipalities will change.
Koewacht has been a village divided between Stekene and Moerbeke, part of Lokeren, for decades. The division dates back to earlier municipal reorganisations in Belgium, including the major reforms of 1977, when many smaller municipalities were merged or redefined. Over the years, residents have relied on services from both municipalities, creating questions about local identity and administration.
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