I have registered to vote in the Belgian communal elections on October 8. How proud I am of this fact. How I have lorded it over other expats who have not registered to vote on the feeble grounds that voting is compulsory, once you have registered, and the fine for not doing so is hefty. How I have spoken eloquently of doing my democratic duty. How I should have known I was riding for a fall.
You may have noticed that it has been a bit quiet here lately. Partly this has been because of our ongoing dispute with Mr. Gates, partly, it is because I have been travelling for most of the past week but largely it has been because my father has been having open heart surgery and I was too scared to blog about it in case I, somehow, jinxed matters. But, almost miraculously, he seems to be recovering well from a second bout between his ribs and a hacksaw wherein his ribs came off worst. Obviously, the bout with the hacksaw was followed by a number of people poking around his beating heart to ensure that it would stay doing just that. And since the last bypass has lasted 20 years, I am cautiously optimistic that all will be well. Today the patient was sitting up in bed asking for the newspaper. But we all got something of a shock. My sister flew home from India last weekend. After much agonising, I decided that I might be more useful when he came out of hospital and, upon my husband’s nobly volunteering to mind the children, rushed to book a trip to Cork for the weekend of October 8.
Ah, October 8, just how hefty do you think that those fines are?
couldn’t you vote in absentia? or is that not allowed there? this certainly seems like an opportunity for the Belgians to show their compassion by waiving the fee.
so sorry to hear about your father, so glad all went well and he’s recovering apace. xo
As I understand it you will normally (great Belgian word) be excused if you happen to be abroad on the day of the vote with good reason, eg work or (in your case) family illness. But I would contact the town hall the week before the election and work out the bureaucracy. There must be a system.
Meanwhile a few miles to your east, we are trying to understand why I am on the register and my wife (the other Anne) is not – we both voted in the last European elections!
maybe Mr Waffle could wear a dress and put a cross in the box?
I was going to suggest a postal vote – or perhaps a proxy. It’s strange that it’s not compulsory to register but then once registered, you have to cast a vote or be fined. I’ve been helping with the electoral canvassing in London and I think I would struggle to get any forms returned if people thought they were liable for a fine if they didn’t use their vote, although turnout has been poor in the last few elections.
Belgian authorities will always find a way to fine you for something. I recall getting 2 parking fines in a week in Bxl near my flat. The reason? Street cleaning….I didn’t fully comprehend the oh-so-clear parking restrictions scratched with chalk on a tiny sign (hum). So, off to Cork with you and tend to your Papa – hopes he makes a speedy recovery.
Could you not get someone else to vote for you? I understood that sort of thing was standard practice down Cork way. Vote early, vote often and all that..