Ruiselede ready for Sunday’s plebiscite

Should Ruiselede merge with Wingene on January 1, 2025? That is the question to which residents of Ruiselede must answer on Sunday. If it depends on Marc Vandaele, the answer is no. But not because he is against a merger. Marc Vandaele: “It has to come, we know that too, but it’s about openness. It’s about debate. No consultation has taken place. It suddenly fell out of the blue. And it was Wingene, period.”

Marc tries to convince as many people as possible to also vote no. Even today he distributes leaflets at the market. But of course there are also proponents of a merger. In the meantime, the polling stations are also being put in order. 4,500 of the 5,500 inhabitants are older than 16 and therefore eligible to vote. The referendum is only valid if 20 percent turn up, i.e. 1,100 inhabitants. (continue reading below the photo)

Give signal

Florian Van de Sompel, General Manager Ruiselede: “On Sunday, all residents entitled to vote can go to four polling stations between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., two in Ruiselede, one in Kruiskerke, one in Doomkerke. We expect the results in the course of the afternoon. only counted if it appears that there is sufficient attendance.”

But whatever is decided, the result is not binding. That could stop the Yes camp from voting. No voters hope to send a clear signal.