Irregularities which automatically influence the distribution of seats and the absolute majority formed by Les Engagés (5 seats) and Celles Demain (4 seats).
The threshold necessary to cause a changeover was set at 18 votes. The local elections council specifies that this observation “constitutes an irregularity, with regard to the code of local democracy.“
An irregularity which automatically influences the distribution of seats and the absolute majority formed by Les Engagés (5 seats) and Celles Demain (4 seats). “The conditions are ripe to provoke the cancellation of the elections.“
The date of this return to the polls? It depends on the willingness of Engagés and Celles Demain to appeal to the Council of State. If both lists accept the verdict pronounced by the local elections council, the vote will take place on January 12. Otherwise, we are talking about the beginning of spring, if the Council of State validates the CEL’s decision…
1. Michaël Busine: “The voter remains the master of the game”
“This decision is proof that our appeal was well-founded. We did not table it out of spite, but after a real analysis of the vote. The irregularities verified and confirmed by the local elections council affected the distribution of seats, this is the important thing to remember“, confides the outgoing mayor.
Without this appeal, the mayor had to give up his folding seat on December 2. He would remain at the head of the municipality of Celles (in current affairs) until the next elections. No euphoria, however, in his words. “I am rational. Our list was ready to sit in opposition. It will remain so for these new elections, almost identically.“
Of the “new elements” have been appearing since. Michaël Busine is aware of this. “On October 13, our list achieved a good score and defended a good record, but was ejected out of thin air. The voter remains the master of the game. We ask them to make an additional effort, but it is to allow democracy to function. We return to the front with humility. The local elections council gives us reason, it is up to us to be convincing, to maintain the confidence of our 1,649 voters and to attract others. It would only take a handful of additional ballots to allow us to leave with an absolute majority.“
2. Régis Berte: “We are not abandoning the Cellois”
Celles Moment is the other list at the origin of the appeal. On October 13, Régis Berte and his running mate did not obtain any seats. What about the next election? “We don’t give up and we will try our luck again“, admits the person concerned. “Personally, I am happy that this transparency is paying off. The objective of this return to the polls was not to create discord, but I understand the voters’ incomprehension.“
If he joined forces with Michaël Busine to file this appeal, Régis Berte admits to having “no preference” for the next election. The fact remains that the negotiations will not begin after the elections. And that the 4th “itchy” list could change everything.
3. Jean Delestrain: “An ambient tension and a financial cost for the municipality”
He was to wear the mayoral sash on December 2. At best he would have to wait, at worst give up on his 40-year-old dream. Jean Delestrain believes that this return to the polls “will restore tension to Celles and will cost the municipality between 12,000 and 15,000 euros.“Maliciously, the elected official says he is about to ask if the two parties behind the appeal are”ready to accept the financing of these new elections?“.
He continues: “I am a Democrat. There is a complaint, it is deemed founded, I accept it. Tuesday, I will survey my running mates one by one to find out who wants to come back. We will have to reorganize ourselves quickly and ask ourselves the right questions, in particular knowing why Celles Moment filed an appeal with Michaël Busine’s list and reading between the lines.“
The leader of the Engagés de Celles believes he has succeeded in his bet, “by placing young people and neophytes in college and on the council. My biggest regret would be not seeing them sit. But I had succeeded in this first bet, we will succeed in the second as well.“
4. Yves Willaert: “I expect high abstention”
“It’s not a surprise, but above all it’s a democratic catastrophe“, admits Yves Willaert for Celles Demain. “I fear a high abstention rate. For the lists, we must now remobilize. I believe that there will be as many candidates disgusted by the turn of events as there will be puffed up or vengeful candidates. For my part, I find that the signal sent is that of a list and a mayor who clings to power.“
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