site.btaNorthern Belgian Region Abolishes Mandatory Voting for October Elections

The northern Belgian region of Flanders has abolished mandatory voting in the upcoming October municipal elections, local media reported, citing a 2021 decision by the regional authorities. It is noted that such a change is being made for the first time since the introduction of universal suffrage in Belgium in 1892. News stories point out that across the EU, only the voters in Belgium, Greece, Luxembourg and Bulgaria are required to vote.

In Belgium, those who skip voting are punishable by a fine of EUR 40 and EUR 80 the first time they are caught, EUR 200 for repeat non-compliance.

In Flanders, opinions on the forthcoming change are divided. Some argue that voters should be free to decide whether to vote and that parties have the task of persuading them to participate in elections - willingly, not by obligation. Others believe that scrapping mandatory voting is a historic mistake that will alienate voters with lower education and income.

Preliminary figures for the October elections suggest that despite the change, 74% of eligible Flemings will vote, and 2% say they will take advantage of the legal changes. One in four remain undecided. According to the pollsters, the scrapping of mandatory voting will reduce the number of votes in favour of the extreme political parties, the Vlaams Belang (far right) and the Workers' Party (communists), for which support is expected to drop by 25%.