In Bergen op Zoom voting was so often done by proxy during the municipal elections that the municipality suspects that fraud has been committed. That is why Mayor Petter has filed a report, the local broadcaster reports Southwest TV.
According to a spokesman for the municipality, last week at two polling stations remarkably often people voted by proxy. That happened with 19 to 22 percent of the vote.
Normally, 8 to at most 12 percent of the votes consists of proxies. said the spokesman. “In the event of such exceedances, the Electoral Council prescribes that a declaration be made. The mayor has now also done so.”
recruit votes
With a power of attorney, a person entitled to vote who is unable to come to a polling station due to illness or vacation, for example, gives another person permission to vote on his or her behalf. An implausibly high number of proxy votes may indicate that vote recruitment or other form of ballot box fraud is involved.
The installation of the new council of Bergen op Zoom is on the agenda for next Wednesday, March 30.
In Roermond, fraud may also have been committed with proxy votes. Mayor Donders has last week reported of soliciting proxy votes.
–
