Ninove Election Investigated Over Fraud Allegations

Ninove (Eurotoday) – Allegations of proxy vote fraud in Ninove’s municipal elections have led to an ongoing investigation. Despite concerns, no political parties formally contested the election results. The inquiry, involving Guy D’haeseleer and Forza Ninove, continues.

The local N-VA branch opted not to appeal due to issues with the ongoing investigation. The public prosecutor’s office had taken important election documents, making it difficult to obtain the necessary information for an appeal. Other parties, such as the Positive Ninove list, also refrained from filing complaints, instead calling on the Flemish government to reform local election rules.

Some parties requested an extension to file complaints until after the investigation concluded. However, since no official challenges were made, the election results in Ninove were confirmed. The investigation into the alleged voting irregularities remains active.

Was Forza Ninove’s Election Victory Legitimate Amid Fraud Allegations?

After the Council for Electoral Disputes dismissed their request due to procedural errors, three N-VA members escalated the matter to the Council of State. While the Council of State deemed their petition valid, it concluded that the reported issues did not significantly affect the election results, and therefore, the case would not proceed further.

Lejo Fonteyn, one of the N-VA members, expressed disappointment. He lamented that complaints were not given due consideration despite evidence of election rule violations. He also highlighted the lack of financial resources to challenge the matter in the Court of Cassation, stating that they would now focus on being a constructive opposition.

“I think it’s a shame, but we’ll accept it.” 

Lejo Fonteyn (N-VA), who submitted the petition

Meanwhile, in another municipal election update, the political group Vooruit met Goesting secured a decisive victory in Gingelom. They won 66.2% of the votes, gaining 13 out of 19 seats in the local council. This strengthened their majority position.

In November 2024, three members of the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) filed a complaint regarding the Ninove municipal elections, citing allegations of forgery, misuse of personal data, and irregularities in proxy voting.

The Council for Electoral Disputes dismissed the complaint on procedural grounds, stating that the members had failed to provide a joint address. Despite this, the East Flanders public prosecutor launched an investigation on election day, examining claims of proxy vote fraud. A significant number of votes in Ninove were cast by proxy, heightening concerns about possible election manipulation. However, no political party officially contested the election results.