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Swiss examine supposed referendum fraud

Swiss district attorneys have actually opened a scams investigation into the collection of false signatures to trigger a referendum touching on a foundation of the nation's tradition of direct democracy.

The Federal Chancellery, whose role is to manage elections, said in a statement it has actually filed criminal charges with the federal prosecutor versus unidentified individuals.

Swiss Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi stated he was taking the concern very seriously.

The falsification of signatures in order to generate income is an abuse of our direct democracy, he told broadcaster SRF.

Because of time restraints to get enough signatures, some projects have turned to business to assist them collect enough names. The companies are spent for the service, resulting in accusations that some have submitted false data.

In Switzerland, 100,000 signatures are needed to activate an initiative, which proposes a modification to the nation's. constitution and 50,000 for a referendum on laws gone by. parliament.

Once triggered, the referendum leads to a nationwide vote,. with surveys in the last few years into problems such as buying brand-new. fighter jets and banning facial coverings, which became called. the burqa ban.

The Federal Chancellery lodged a criminal complaint with the. Workplace of the Chief Law Officer (OAG) in 2022, which has considering that. been expanded. It said it is likewise preparing a second bad guy. problem.

The Chancellery said it had actually received indications of incorrect. signatures affecting around 12 popular initiatives, however decreased. to state which.

Still, it did not believe votes had actually taken place mainly due to. making use of incorrect signatures.

The OAG said it has actually launched numerous examinations on the. suspicion of voter scams, and has actually performed home searches and. confiscated property. It decreased to offer more details, citing. a continuous inquiry.

Swiss paper Tages-Anzeiger, which first revealed the. examination, stated one company had offered to provide a. referendum project with 10,000 signatures at a price of 4.50. Swiss francs ($ 5.29) each.

Regional authorities later found in between 35% and 90% of. signatures were void, much greater than the regular invalidity. rate of 8% to 12%, the paper said.

Amongst the problems were addresses of signatories which did. not exist, or signatures from individuals who had not resided in the. area for numerous years, the Tages-Anzeiger stated.

Checks of signatures have actually now been stepped up, while senior. lawmakers have likewise called for the paid collection of signatures. to be banned.

(source: Reuters)