BELGIUM
Elections to the European Parliament : 13 june 1999
Electoral Procedure
|
| |
TOTAL
|
WOMEN
|
MEN
|
| No.
of inhabitants |
10 215
800 |
5 219 700
|
4 996 100
|
| of
which, resident EU citizens |
568 400 |
269 600 |
298 800 |
| No.
of potential voters (18+) |
8 041 700
|
4 158 300
|
3 883 400
|
| No.
of young people (18-23)* |
749 200 |
369 300 |
379 900 |
| No.
of seats |
25 |
|
|
| No.
of inhabitants per seat |
408 632 |
|
|
Source: Eurostat estimates based on Eurostat population scenarios (baseline variant) and
the latest data.
* Age group voting for the first time in EP
elections (last EP elections: June 1994).
The law of 23 March 1989, as amended by the laws of 11 April 1994, 29 April 1994 and 5
April 1995.
- Proportional representation on the basis of four constituencies
(Flanders, Wallonia, the German-speaking region and the Brussels region) and three
electoral colleges. Fourteen Members will be elected by the Dutch- speaking electoral
college (Flanders + Brussels), ten by the French-speaking college
(Wallonia + Brussels), and one by the German-speaking college. Preference
voting.
| 3. |
Registration
of candidates |
- Deadline for registration: 16 April 1999 (2pm - 4pm) or 17 April
1999 (9am - 12 noon).
- Deposit: None.
- Conditions:
Signatures required:
. 5 Belgian MPs of the same language category as the candidate,
or
. 5000 French-speaking voters for the French-speaking electoral
college,
. 5000 Dutch-speaking voters for the Dutch-speaking electoral
college,
. 200 German-speaking voters for the German-speaking electoral
college.
- Incompatibilities: Those laid down in the 1976 Act on Elections
to the European Parliament. In addition, the position of Member of the European Parliament
is incompatible with national public office or membership of a federal or regional
executive and with the office of mayor, alderman or chairman of the CPAS (social aid
centre) of a municipality with more than 50 000 inhabitants.
| 4. |
Polling
day : Sunday 13 June 1999 |
- Other elections on the same day: Chamber of Representatives,
Senate, Flemish Council, Walloon Regional Council, Council of the Brussels Region and
Council of the German-speaking Community.
- Voting hours: In principle, 8am to 1pm (traditional voting
method) and 8am to 3pm (electronic voting). A draft law provides for polling stations to
close later, on the King's orders, when other elections are held on the same day.
- The count begins at a time to be decided by the King (taking
account of the time at which polling stations close in other countries). The time at which
the vote ends and the results are announced depends on the time the count begins.
| 5. |
Voting
/ Standing for election |
- Right to vote
All Belgian citizens aged 18 or over and
in full possession of their voting rights are entitled to vote.
All EU citizens who meet the same
conditions may vote.
Belgians resident abroad who are aged 18
or over and in full possession of their voting rights and who apply to vote by post
for Belgian lists are entitled to vote.
Voting is compulsory for all voters
registered on electoral rolls. Proxy voting is allowed for the first two categories above.
- Right to stand for election
Anyone registered on a Belgian electoral
roll for European Parliament elections may stand for election.
Candidates must be aged 21 or over.
Candidates must be French-, Dutch- or
German-speakers, depending on the college for which they stand.
- Funding: Limited by the law of 14 May 1994, as amended by the law
of 25 June 1998 (maximum of BF 45 million per party). The limits on campaign expenditure
laid down by the above law apply to the three-month period prior to the elections.
- Official campaign starting date: 40 days before the election, i.e
May 4, 1999
- Media access: Restrictions have been introduced under the same
law. For the national media, broadcasting time is decided by the radio or TV station
itself in accordance with the size of the parties.
- Opinion polls: No restrictions.
|
European
Parliament elections 1999 
