Credentials committee rejects recount in Brussels Parliament election

Open VLD’s objection to recount Flemish Parliament votes in Brussels was rejected. The credentials committee cited insufficient evidence, leaving doubts about election integrity unresolved, disappointing party chairman Tom Ongena.

The Flemish Parliament has proclaimed the elections in the Brussels constituency valid. There will also be no recount. An objection to the validity of the elections for the Flemish Parliament in Brussels was filed by Open VLD, but on the advice of the credentials committee, there will be no recount. According to the committee, there would be “insufficient evidence that the recount of the paper ballots in the Brussels constituency would yield a more correct determination of the election result”. Open VLD chairman Tom Ongena regrets this conclusion. According to him, there will now be “a hint of incorrect composition” hanging over the parliament.

Why Did Open VLD Object to Brussels Election Validity?

After the elections of 9 June, Open VLD filed an objection and requested that the votes in Brussels for the Flemish Parliament be recounted. The Flemish liberals narrowly missed out on a seat in the Brussels constituency. The party referred, among other things, to the problems with the electronic ballots – whereby minors could also vote for the Chamber and the regional parliaments while they were only allowed to vote for the European Parliament – and therefore insisted on a recount. 

What Were the Findings of the Credentials Committee?

The credentials committee had to consider the objection in the margins of the inaugural meeting of parliament. After a hearing and deliberation, the committee came to two conclusions. 

The first conclusion, taken by a majority, is that there is “insufficient evidence” that a recount of the paper ballots in the Brussels constituency “would result in a more correct determination of the electoral result”. The second conclusion, which was unanimously approved in both the committee and the plenary, refers to the irregularities that have been identified. For example, not only in Brussels “the necessary care was not exercised in all electoral operations, for example in the distribution of the correct chip cards”. “The committee asks the President of Parliament to inform the Minister of the Interior of this”, it says.

How Did Open VLD React to the Committee’s Conclusions?

Open VLD chairman Tom Ongena “takes note” of these conclusions, but he regrets that no real follow-up is being given to the irregularities that were found. “This should be a high day for democracy, but now there will be a hint of incorrect composition,” said Ongena. Groen and PVDA also disagreed with the committee’s first conclusion. 

Moreover, all parties also seem to agree that something needs to change in the system in which parliament itself must judge the validity of the elections (and is therefore actually both judge and party). Belgium was condemned for this method in 2020 by the European Court of Human Rights. But the arrangement has not been adjusted for the time being.