Non-Belgians barely register for municipal elections
In Flanders, barely 5 per cent of non-EU citizens and less than 9 per cent of EU citizens have registered for October's municipal elections.
The deadline for people without Belgian nationality living in the country to register for the 13 October elections is 31 July. This is the fourth time that EU citizens and non-EU citizens who have lived in Belgium for more than five years have been able to vote in the municipal elections. Participation rates remain very low, De Standaard, De Morgen and Het Laatste Nieuws report.
By 13 July, only 8.48 per cent of the EU citizens in Flanders had registered to vote. Among non-EU citizens, the figure is only 5.08 per cent. In Wallonia and Brussels, the registration rate is higher. Twice as many people registered to vote in Wallonia. The Home Affairs ministry will update the figures in mid-August but no major changes are expected.
In particular, growing disinterest is thought to be behind the low figures. A lack of information also plays a role: because there is no overarching approach to inform potential voters about registration, success depends on local policies and community initiatives.
Eligible people can register online or submit an application form to their municipality before 31 July.
#FlandersNewsService | A voting booth © BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY
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