Belgium

Electoral system*: Proportional representation (with preferential voting) 

Threshold*: political parties – 5% (by constituency)

Frequency of Parliamentary elections: 5 years

Compulsory voting: Yes

Minimum age for voting*: 18

Minimum age for running*: 18

Quota type: Legislated quota (50%)

Percentage of women candidates: 49%

(Parliamentary Elections, 2014)

Percentage of women elected*: 43,3%

Percentage of Members of parliament under age 30**: 2%

Voter registration: Passive

Voter turnout: 90%

(Parliamentary Elections, 26 May 2019)

Voting abroad: Yes

by voting at embassies/consulates, by postal voting or by proxy voting


E-voting: No


Electoral Management Body (EMB):

Service public fédéral Intérieur - Direction des Elections

VOTA Database (Venice Commission / Mexican Electoral Tribunal of the Federal Judiciary - TEPJF):

Legislation and documents of the Venice Commission in the electoral field for Belgium


*Information related to Parliamentary Elections or to the lower house of the Parliament

** Source: Study about youth participation in national parliaments 2018