Nearly 75% of voters in Geneva on Sunday approved an amendment of the cantonal constitution, endorsing a decision taken by the cantonal parliament earlier this year, according to official final resultsExternal link.
About 1,200 citizens will be able to benefit from the new regulations to participate in the political decision-making process both at cantonal and local level.
About 14,000 citizens across Switzerland have a legal guardian because of a severe mental or physical disability. However, they are excluded from votes and elections.
People under guardianship can request their political rights in three of the country’s 26 cantons.
Opponents have warned that third parties could take unfair advantage by voting for a disabled person.
Several European countries, including neighbouring France, Italy and Austria, as well as Britain and Spain, grant disabled people their full political rights, according to the Inclusion Handicap interest group.
More
More
Should people with severe mental disabilities be able to vote?
This content was published on
People with disabilities who have been placed under full guardianship do not have the right to vote in Switzerland. Is this discrimination?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Karin Keller-Sutter to Trump: ‘Our companies want security’
This content was published on
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter made the last phone call to Donald Trump before his about-face on tariffs. Did she help change his mind?
Ambassador: Israel and Switzerland ‘don’t agree on everything’
This content was published on
Israel's ambassador to Bern maintains that Switzerland and her country enjoy friendly relations. But criticises certain Swiss positions within UN bodies.
In Nyon documentary festival, Argentinian director Clarisa Navas takes top prize
This content was published on
Argentinian director Clarisa Navas has won the international Grand Prix at the Visions du Réel documentary film festival in Nyon.
The initiative for Swiss sovereignty was unsuccessful
This content was published on
A federal initiative seeking to ensure the primacy of Swiss national law over international law failed to garner the necessary support.
Powder permitted to help with holes in Emmental cheese
This content was published on
The Federal Administrative Court has authorised the use of hay flower powder in the production of Emmental cheese with a protected designation of origin.
Estates of Schwarzenbach and Maillart honoured by UNESCO
This content was published on
The estates of Swiss writers Annemarie Schwarzenbach (1908-1942) and Ella Maillart (1903-1997) are to be included in the Memory of the World Register.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Public broadcaster to increase disabled-friendly content
This content was published on
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has agreed to increase its offerings for a visually and hearing impaired audience.
Deaf Swiss demand political information in sign language
This content was published on
Voting pamphlets and explanations of federal bills should be available online in sign language, says the Swiss Federation for the Deaf.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.