Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
CASTING A VALID VOTE
Ato Harley06.10.2012
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Answer YES or NO to the following propositions
It is the first time I am going to vote Only Belgians can vote in the forthcoming
provincial and local council elections I have to be a member of a Political Party
to be able to vote for that Party I am obliged to go to the Polls I am obliged to vote
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Only Belgians can vote in the forthcoming Provincial and
Local Council elections
YES and NO For the provincial elections: Belgian 18 years Resident address in the province Not barred by a court of justice
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Only Belgians are allowed to vote in the City or Local Council elections
No BUT for Belgians OPKOMSTPLICHT = Obliged to go to the polls Anyone resident in the city or within the local
council 18 years Not barred by a court of justice (criminal offence
or legally incapable)
Exceptions: EU and Non-EU citizens
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Voting Rights for Non-Belgians in The Local / City Council Elections
EU citizens Resident in Belgium Voting rights for the City and District
Council elections Must declare intention to vote Register to vote Obliged to vote after registration (report
at the polls = Opkomstplicht)
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Voting Rights for Non - EU citizens
5 years un-iterrrupted and legally resident in Belgium
Announce intention to vote in localityof residence
Written declaration nationality Permanent residential address He / she will abide by the Constitution the
laws of Belgium and the Agreements on Protection and respect for the fundamental human rights
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Who can not vote?
Older than 18 years and sanctioned or banned by a court of justice
Can not vote or authorise someone to vote on his / her behalf : sentenced for a criminal offence (someone in the cel or with prison sentence less than three months = can authorise another person to vote on his / her behalf)
Obligatory admission into psychiatric institution
Prolonged childhood
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
NO Political PartiesGeographical interpretation of fault linesOrganisation on the basis of vision of what life ought to be or can beVision is presented to the voters to choose during electionsEvolution from philosophical and ideological differences to thematic parties
I have to be a member of a Political Party to be able to vote for that Party
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
I am obliged to vote
One is obliged to go to the polls
One is not obliged to vote
Blanco
Invalide vote
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Role of the Provincial Council
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
What is a Provincial Council?
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
What are the functions of a Provincial Council?
Matters of “provincial interest” Issues that rise above local interests support in tasks upon request by other
authorities (federal / local) Initiatives with aim to achieving
cooperation between different local councils within a region
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
What does the Provincieraad do?
Sport and recreation Mobility Education Nature and the Environment Participation
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Role of the local council
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
My local council
The composition of the local council= HET GEMEENTE BESTUUR
Local parliament = elected every six years
Governs together with the Board of the Mayor and Aldermen or Deputies
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
What does my city or local council do for me?
Functions or competences of the City Council Varies from city to city Administratie Archief Belastingen Bevolking Bibliotheek Brandweer Burgerlijke stand Buurtwerk huisvesting
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
How best local council has to or can be administered
Setting priorities Rendering the best services How best finances can be managed The different visions of the different
poltical parties
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Who can I vote for?
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
The different political parties of Flanders
CD&V LDD Open VLD Spa N- VA GROEN VLAAMS BELANG Other
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Importance of elections
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Importance of local elections
National politics not the same as local politics
National politics: general / broad issues Local politics: specific / concrete issues =
government closest to the citizens
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Why are elections important for political parties?
Thermometer Elections determine the extent of
programme acceptability Programme change Adaptation of new themes
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
How do political parties govern?
By absolute majority Enough seats to govern alone Absence of majority Coalition formation = cooperative
governance Opposition = Not entering into
compromise of coalition Insisting upon the alternative way
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Political parties and their electoral promises
Electoral promises draw clear lines between the different parties
Enable the electorate to choose between the different options offered
However, When No party gains the absolute majority The need for coalition government Working together = compromise = water
with the wine Parties inability to fulfill their electoral
promises
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Which political party gets my vote
Attention!!!! Elections are like the market Political parties = sellers: advertise their
ideas, visions, and candidates The voter = buyer: ‘caveat emptor’(the
buyer must beware) Political discussions help : friends, family,
colleagues, ...;etc;etc;
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
How do you cast a valid vote?
There are 3 possibilities!
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
1. You vote for one party:
↓ geldige stem
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
2. You vote for one or more candidates on the same list
↓ geldige stem
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
3. You vote for one party and for one or more candides on the same list
geldige stem ↓
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Invalid voting
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Be sure you DO NOT vote for 2 or more parties
The compsition of the local council
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Do not vote for candidates on more then one list
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Do not circle your choice
Platform van de Afrikaanse Gemeenschappen
Do NOT write on the form
Ngondi Felicia
Recommended