Teenagers aged 16 and 17 – who are obliged to vote in the European Parliament elections in June this year, just like Belgian adults – do not have to fear a penalty if they do not show up to the polling station, the Federal Government decided on Wednesday.
The right to vote for the European Parliament was first extended to people from the age of 16 (down from 18) in Belgium over two years ago. In May, Belgium confirmed that this would allow some 270,000 teenagers – if they chose to register – to vote for the EU elections on 9 June.
This meant that while they could vote if they wished, it was not compulsory (contrary to the rules for Belgian adults). Several months later, a court ruled that registration was no longer needed. Last week, however, the Constitutional Court suspended the law stating that compulsory attendance only applied to those over 18, meaning that registered 16-17-year-olds are now also obliged to head to the polling station.
Lack of manpower
Immediately, the question arose whether (and how) the authorities should then enforce this compulsory turnout for minors with sanctions – as Interior Affairs Minister Annelies Verlinden pointed out punishments for adults cannot simply be applied to minors.
In theory, Belgian adults who fail to show up at the polling station risk a fine between €40 and €80, but no-shows are not prosecuted in practice, due to lack of manpower at public prosecutors' offices.
On Wednesday, the Federal Government's so-called 'core cabinet' (the Prime Minister and his seven Deputies) decided that this approach will also be taken for voters aged 16 and 17: they will not be fined for not showing up, Belga News Agency reports. As with previous elections, a directive from the College of Public Prosecutors stating that non-voting will not be prosecuted will soon be issued.
