A selection device for a shed-forming device of a weaving machine has an electromagnetic selector (11) with at least two poles (P1), (P2), . . . (Pn) and a selection element (1), (2); (25), (26); (40), (41) which is located in a cooperating position with a zone (50) alongside at least two poles (P1), (P2), . . . (Pn) and is retained at a holding distance (A) from this zone (50), in which the selector (11) with each adjacent pole (P1), (P2) can exert a magnetic force on the zone (50), and in which the zone (50) extends over a distance (Z) that is shorter than the coil length (S), while the holding distance (A) is at least equal to half the positionable length (L) of the selection element.