A committee has ruled that there is "insufficient evidence" to justify a recount despite calls to do so from multiple political parties. The Flemish Parliament ratified the decision on Tuesday.
Errors in the distribution of electronic voting ballots on 9 June resulted in at least 2,171 incorrect votes. But after reviewing the situation, a "credentials committee" has recommended against a recount in Flanders. It deemed that there is "insufficient evidence that a recount of the paper ballots in the Brussels constituency would produce a more accurate assessment of the election result."
The Flemish Parliament subsequently voted to abide by the recommendation. Open VLD has expressed dismay at the decision and called for a recount of Brussels-based votes in the Flemish elections when it lost a seat by less than 13 votes.
The liberal party pointed to the issues caused by electronic voting. Last week, the Board of Experts concluded that "it cannot be ruled out that the problem [...] has had an impact on the final distribution of seats in one or more elections." Groen and the Belgian Worker's Party (PVDA) supported Open VLD's request.
Nevertheless, a recount is now out of the question. Open VLD warns that the potentially incorrect parliamentary composition will be a "stain" on the next mandate.
