Ruiselede referendum result is clear: 91% say no

To merge with Wingene or not, that was the question that occupied Ruiselede in recent weeks and months. The fact that it came to a referendum is mainly due to the dissatisfaction of some of the inhabitants. Many people feel that they have not been heard beforehand, and feel so disadvantaged.

Turnout of 42.6%

It is clear from the turnout that this concerns a large part of the population of Ruiseleed. 4500 people (all those sixteen or older) were allowed to vote. We get the numbers from the counting office. Of those 4500 people, no fewer than 1917 residents actually voted. 42.6%, which is quite a lot for a referendum without compulsory voting.

1753 no voters

Of those 1917 voters, 25 voted invalid. No less than 1753 votes went to the ‘no’ camp. Barely 139 residents voted ‘yes’.

“Overwhelmingly Clear”

The referendum is not binding. But according to Marc Vandaele, one of the initiators of the referendum, the result is so overwhelmingly clear that the municipal council cannot ignore it.

Municipal council: “encouraging result”

The municipal council of Ruiselede also sees the result as encouraging. Although a lot of ‘no’ voters showed up. But the municipal council of Ruiselede and also the mayor of Wingene see this differently. For them, just 61% of voters voted in favor of a merger. If you assume that there are 4500 eligible voters, then there are effectively 38.95% ‘no’ voters (1753 people) and there are therefore 61% of the eligible residents who do not vote against a merger (or who simply did not vote ).

It is not yet clear what the city council will do with the referendum.