EVCIElection Voter-Confidence Index

Article 127 establishes statutory requirements for candidate list publication and display with specific formatting requirements (large black characters), inclusion of voter instructions (modèle I), and timing provisions (from 50 or 22 days before the election depending on circumstances). However, the criterion asks about a 'voter pamphlet' with 'candidate and ballot-question information' with 'content and distribution defined.' This provision addresses candidate list display and voter instructions but does not constitute a comprehensive pamphlet system with enumerated content requirements beyond the ballot form and instructions. The distribution rule is defined (posted in all municipalities of the electoral district), but this appears more limited in scope than a traditional ballot information pamphlet covering multiple aspects of the ballot. The requirement is codified and specific, yet falls short of the full pamphlet framework the criterion contemplates.

Article 116 addresses multilingual ballot content specifically regarding party sigles (names/logos), permitting them to be in one language, translated to another, or in both languages. However, this section does NOT establish statutory triggers for when multilingual ballots and voter materials are REQUIRED based on population thresholds or language-minority criteria. The provision describes FORMAT options for sigles but lacks population-based or language-minority-based triggers that would mandate multilingual balloting. To fully satisfy INFO.2, the statute would need to specify conditions (e.g., 'ballots shall be provided in language X when Y% of residents speak that language' or similar threshold-based requirements). The text permits multilingual content but does not codify triggers for mandatory multilingual communication.

Article 119 of the Belgian Electoral Code explicitly requires the Minister of the Interior to ensure online publication of the provisional candidate list (procès-verbal d'arrêt provisoire des listes de candidats). The statute codifies both (1) a mandate for public accessibility of candidate-filing documents and (2) a defined timeline: publication occurs after the deadline for candidate submissions expires and the principal electoral bureau provisionally certifies the lists. The provision further specifies content parameters (candidate names and first names) and timing (the statute references specific deadlines in articles 105 and 106 for when candidates may review and comment on filings). This satisfies the criterion's requirement that candidate-filing documents be required by statute to be publicly accessible within a defined time.

The section establishes statutory procedures for candidate disqualification (Article 118), including: (1) specific grounds for disqualification, (2) a codified timeline for the Minister of Interior to notify the chief electoral officer (52 days or 24 days before election depending on circumstance), and (3) a mandate to strike disqualified candidates' names from all lists. However, the provision lacks explicit codification of PUBLIC-NOTICE procedures to inform voters after ballot printing. The statute specifies internal administrative notification (minister to electoral bureau president) and candidate name removal from lists, but does not explicitly detail HOW the public will be notified of such disqualifications or what notice mechanisms apply post-ballot printing. The temporal markers suggest notification occurs well before elections, which may limit post-ballot-printing scenarios. The criterion asks specifically about public-notice procedure codification when disqualification occurs after ballots are printed—this section does not explicitly address voter notification mechanisms or public disclosure requirements in that scenario.

Article 107 of the Belgian Electoral Code establishes statutory requirements for pre-election voter notification with clearly defined timing and content. The statute mandates: (1) timing—at least 15 days before election, the Minister of Interior must publish notice in the official gazette and commune officials must send convocation letters; (2) content of public notice—election date and polling place hours; (3) content of individual letters—voting day, polling location, items for election, polling hours. The statute also provides a fallback mechanism for voters who did not receive their letter and specifies the content must conform to a royal decree model. Both the timing requirements (15 days minimum) and substantive content requirements are codified in statute.

No section in the FTS-surfaced candidates satisfies this criterion. Best signal: Article 131 of the Belgian Electoral Code addresses the designation and rights of candidate witnesses (témoins) at polling places and counting operations. It contains procedural rules about how candidates must designate witnesses 12 days before the election, the qualifications witnesses must meet, their rights during electoral operations, and notification of witness assignments to polling bureaus. The section does not address voter notification requirements when polling places change between elections. It does not establish any statutory requirement to provide individual notice to voters of polling-place changes within a defined timeframe. The article is focused entirely on electoral observers/witnesses designated by candidates, not on voter communication about polling-place modifications.