During an election period, proxy voting becomes a crucial mechanism for citizens who are unable to go to the polls. However, this system is not without risks and raises various concerns, especially regarding security and abuse.
Understanding proxy voting: definition and use
What is a proxy voting?
A proxy voting is an act by which one person (the principal) gives power to another (the proxy) to carry out certain administrative or personal procedures on their behalf. In the context of elections, this allows an absent voter to designate someone to vote on their behalf.
Procedure and conditions
To establish a proxy voting, the principal must go to a police station, a gendarmerie, a judicial court, or even to their consulate if they reside abroad. Several pieces of information must be provided, such as the complete identity of the proxy as well as the validity period of this proxy.
- The proxy must be registered on the electoral roll
- They can receive up to two proxies maximum, with one established only in France
- The process is free and requires an identity document.
Issues associated with the use of proxies
Potential frauds
With the increase in proxy voting requests, the risk of frauds also increases. Cases of abuses of weakness, especially towards the elderly or vulnerable people, are frequently reported. This includes not only fake mandates but also attempts to deprive individuals of their individual voting rights.
Preventive measures
To prevent these abuses, several measures have been put in place:
- Systematic verification of identities
- Strengthening of random checks by the competent authorities
- Public awareness about common fraud methods
- Training of administrative agents for better anomaly detection.
Benefits and necessity of proxy voting
Accessibility to voting
Proxy voting allows those who cannot physically go to polling stations – due to illness, vacation, or other impediments – to exercise their citizen right. This tool therefore gives a voice to those who would otherwise be excluded from the democratic process.
Increased participation
By facilitating remote voting, proxy voting helps increase the voter turnout rate. This logistical solution overcomes certain practical constraints while ensuring that more citizens can have an impact on electoral results.
Recent cases and controversies
2024 Parliamentary Elections: fraud alerts
During the 2024 parliamentary elections, more than 1.3 million proxy votes had been registered even before the day of the election. However, growing concerns about scammers trying to illegally obtain proxies from fragile elderly people have emerged. These incidents highlight the ongoing need to improve security and surveillance mechanisms.
Actions by public authorities
Faced with this alarming situation, authorities have intensified their information campaigns and implemented stronger strategies to combat these frauds. Collaborations with various associations and healthcare professionals have also been established to protect vulnerable populations against these malicious manipulations.
