Proposition 54K2958

Projet de loi portant diverses modifications en matière électorale.

General information ¶

Submitted by

MR Swedish coalition

Submission date

Feb. 27, 2018

Official page

Visit

Status

Adopted

Requirement

Simple

Subjects

electoral law organisation of elections election

Voting ¶

Voted to adopt

CD&V Vooruit LE PS | SP DéFI ∉ Open Vld N-VA LDD MR VB

Abstained from voting

Groen Ecolo PVDA | PTB PP

Contact form ¶

Do you have a question or request regarding this proposition? Select the most appropriate option for your request and I will get back to you shortly.

Discussion ¶

March 29, 2018 | Plenary session (Chamber of representatives)

Full source

The rapporteurs, Mrs Ben Hamou and Mr Demon, refer to the written report.

Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, I have just raised the question of whether you are still attentive, but I will not occupy you very long.

The aim of the present draft is to make the organisation of elections more efficient. Indeed, because of our state structure and our membership of the European Union, we sometimes get the impression that our country is constantly in electoral mode. Municipal and provincial elections are held every six years, federal elections every four years and community and regional elections and European elections every five years. 2014 was a special year, the mother of all elections, but there was also a decision to make some elections coincide. The 2014 election was also a test case.

In the present draft law, the Government has taken into account various comments and opinions of the services. This results in some clarifications, simplifications and updates. Thus, there are many technical adjustments to align the electoral calendar and amendments were needed in various laws, such as the electoral law, the law governing the manner in which the Brussels Capital Parliament and the Flemish Parliament are elected, the law of 1989 on the election of the European Parliament, the law of 1990 governing the manner in which the Parliament of the German-speaking Community is elected and the ordinary law of 1993 completing the federal state structure.

Adjustments were also needed as a result of the earlier adoption of the law on compatriots residing in a non-EU state, and as a result of the privacy legislation, making it no longer necessary for candidates to indicate their profession and place of residence.

It is also positive that electoral laws are adapted to the digital society. Thus, the program for electronic voting, which was already possible in various cities and municipalities, but encountered practical problems by the various computer programs, is unified. Instead of several programs, there is now only one software selection program, which is made available free of charge by the Minister. This can only increase transparency, correctness and uniformity. The procedures for the electronic submission of candidate lists, the electronic transmission of candidate lists and the necessary solutions and backup in case of failures on the day of the elections are also laid down by law. We are also satisfied with the adjustments for the control of electronic voting in order to prevent irregularities.

There are also numerous practical changes that allow everyone to exercise their democratic right. Consider the guidance of persons with disabilities or the use of the audio module for blind and visually impaired persons, which should facilitate their voting.

In short, it is a technically complex dossier, but it is necessary to align all existing legislation for similar elections. This will mean a huge improvement for the many employees on the ground, such as peacekeepers, municipal staff and citizens.

Mr. Speaker, dear colleagues, the bill that is subject to our examination has the merit of adapting electoral legislation to the Sixth State Reform as well as to the realities and certain needs encountered on the ground.

In this perspective, the CDH sees with a good eye the series of technical changes to electoral legislation concerning the organization of electoral operations. The electoral calendar for organizing the elections to the House of Representatives and Parliaments of Communities and Regions will now coincide with the calendar for organizing the elections to the European Parliament in order to offer the actors of the electoral process easier time management in simultaneous elections. This is a good thing.

However, the CDH group regrets, as our honorable group leader, Catherine Fonck, has been able to express it in committee, that the bill has not been more ambitious. It would have had to take advantage of this modification of electoral legislation to also discuss the bill proposals submitted by the CDH which concern in particular the removal of the lists of substitutes and the devolving effect of the head box.

Another important point in our view concerns the political decision of the government to refuse the full entry on the electoral lists. However, this is the best solution to ensure the best possible representation of women in the political world. Furthermore, the obligation of a male/female alternation on the lists would simplify discussions regarding the preparation of electoral lists.

For this reason, Ms. Catherine Fonck will re-submit three amendments to generalize the principle of the strip for the elections to the House of Representatives, the European Parliament and the Parliament of the German-speaking Community. In this regard, I invite our colleagues from the MR to demonstrate coherence with the similar provisions that are adopted in the Walloon Region.

That being said, in view of the upcoming elections, it is clear that we must move forward. That is why our group will vote in favour of the bill.

Dear colleague, I thank you very sincerely.

It is so rare that the CDH supports German-speaking people. A wicked mind would see something incredible in it, but I dare not believe that is the case.

Nevertheless, the proposals have been examined and an avis has been rendered from the German-speaking side, who does not wish to discuss them at their own level. The rest, they already have their place. Le Parlement a décidé souverainement de ne pas recourir à cette tirette. It is necessary to reinscribe this point to the order of the day, including in my Region. This is not the case this time. C'est la raison pour laquelle, en parfaite cohérence et loyauté avec ce qui a été entrepris et communauté germanophone, je suivrai l'avis qui a été donné.