In the municipality of Gorinchem, concerns are growing over potential voting irregularities during the recent municipal elections. Mayor Reinie Melissant addressed the municipal council in an extra meeting, revealing that reports of vote solicitation had surfaced even before the election took place.
“People have been contacted at home and by telephone,” said Melissant. “And pressured into giving power of attorney.”
In response, the municipality distributed a handout to all party leaders outlining the illegality of vote solicitation. Residents received a letter with their voting passes emphasizing the prohibition of requesting powers of attorney.
Reported Irregularities at Polling Station
The police and the Public Prosecution Service are now investigating reports of potential voting fraud that emerged after the municipal elections on March 18.
The suspicions arose from analysis of reports filed by polling stations after the election. Concerns were raised after a candidate on the electoral list visited a polling station in the Rozenobel district center five times, each time accompanied by one or two individuals.
These individuals reportedly possessed multiple powers of attorney, which they used to cast votes.
Social Media and Proxy Votes
The candidate allegedly stated they were at the polling station “to take pictures for the socials.”
The polling station report indicated that 135 of the 650 votes cast were done through proxies, a “relatively large number.” The investigation is ongoing and includes inquiries with residents who submitted powers of attorney.
Further Investigation
Another polling station has since come forward with similar observations, recognizing the pattern of proxy votes after news of the potential fraud surfaced.
Two local parties secured the most votes in the election. A decision on whether to declare the results partially or fully invalid rests with the current municipal council, which must act before April 1.