Summoned poll workers book flights to avoid civic duty

Two weeks before the next federal elections in Belgium on May 25, magistrates across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to find poll workers. Every year the magistrates receive thousands of excuse letters from people attempting to get out of fulfilling their civic duty, but this year they have noticed a remarkable trend.

At least ten people in Herzele, East Flanders, have gone so far as to book a flight to Italy with low-cost airline Ryanair in order to claim that they will be out of the country on election day and therefore unable to stand in as poll workers, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. Peace Judges have responded displeased and warn of prosecution.

"Such a ticket costs only €20,” says attorney Lieven Pluym. “But then they are unable to provide proof of a return ticket or hotel stay. And there is no ticket for their partner or children,” Pluym told the newspaper. "Excuses such as these will be handed over to the public prosecutor."