6 of the 8 suspects that were detained on Tuesday for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation into electoral fraud in the local election in the East Flemish town of Ninove have since been released. However, two town Aldermen, Malika Sclacmender and Dany Goessens, are still detained. Ms Sclacmender is the daughter of the Mayor of Ninove Guy D’haeseleer. All those that have been questioned are members of the far-right Forza Ninove that has an absolute majority on the town council.
6 of the 8 suspects detained in Ninove electoral fraud investigation have been released, Mayor’s stepdaughter still detained
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At the heart of the investigation was whether voters that voted by proxy were persuaded to do so by Forza Ninove activists (it is illegal to solicit proxy votes) and whether medical certificates were falsified in order to obtain proxy votes. After last October’s municipal elections, the judicial authorities confiscated all the proxy votes cast.
Annelies Verstraete of the East Flemish prosecutor’s office told VRT News that in the meantime all the proxy votes and medical certificates have been analysed. 7 people were detained on Tuesday morning and an 8th person was detained later in the day. They have been questioned and 6 of them have since been released. Ms Verstraete adds that there are serious indications of issues with the medical certificates. The investigation centres on whether there this was orchestrated and who was responsible.
2 suspects still being held
2 of the 8 people detained on Tuesday remain in custody. They are both town Aldermen, Malika Sclacmender and Dany Goessens. By Wednesday evening it will become clear whether or not they will be released or will remain in custody. The prosecutor’s office has 48 hours to question a suspect once they have been detained before an arrest warrant must be sought from an examining magistrate.
Of the 8 people detained on Tuesday, 7 stood for election on the Forza Ninove list and 4 were elected to serve on the council. Alderman Malika Sclacmender is responsible for youth, sport and animal welfare.
Alderman Dany Goessens’, who was detained later in the day than the other suspects, responsibilities include IT, communication, parking policy and transport. He is also Chair of the Social Social Service Committee. A lawyer that represents 1 of the 6 people that have since been released says that they were detained on suspicion of forgery, falsifying documents and breaches of elector law.