The East Flemish prosecutor’s office has confirmed that 8 people have been detained as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged electoral fraud during the municipal elections in the East Flemish town of Ninove. One of those arrested is the stepdaughter of Ninove’s far-right mayor Guy D'haeseleer. As well as being Mayor D'haeseleer’s stepdaughter Malika Sclacmender is also an alderman in Ninove’s municipal cabinet.
Mayor’s stepdaughter among 8 people arrested in investigation into electoral fraud in Ninove
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Following last October’s municipal election, the prosecutor’s office confiscated all the votes that had been cast by proxy to investigate whether there were any issues with them. All those arrested are from Mayor D'haeseleer. The mayor’s stepdaughter is the town alderman responsible for youth, sport and animal welfare.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning Alderman Werner Somers (Forza Ninove) said that “We retain 100% trust in our people. The judicial authorities have to do their work, but there are being very zealous with regard to this case”.
The national leadership of the far-right party Vlaams Belang of which Forza Ninove is the local branch says that it is astounded by the news. The party is unable or unwilling to say at the moment who is being questioned.
The former Mayor of Ninove Tanja De Jonghe (liberal) says that she is “dumbfounded” by what has happened. Ms De Jonghe’s Positief Ninove list didn’t lodge a complaint with Council for Electoral Disputes when it had to opportunity to do so last November.
For the first time at local elections (Oct. 13, 2024), the active procurement of proxy votes was illegal. Anyone found guilty of procuring proxy votes risks a prison sentence of between 8 days and 1 month and/or a fine. However, a judge cannot order a recount nor declare an election invalid.
Mayor D'haeseleer is currently on sick leave following a liver transplant. In the past he made no secret of how important he thinks proxy votes are. In Forza Ninove’s election material those that were unable to vote in person we’re urged to “Give your vote to Forza Ninove”, whether this is considered to be active procurement is a matter for the prosecutor’s office.