An investigation into possible electoral fraud has been opened in Geneva, following reports that an employee in the elections office manipulated ballots.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
Русский
ru
В Женеве расследуют возможные избирательные манипуляции
According to the 20 Minutes newspaper, police searched the offices of the Geneva elections servicesExternal link on Thursday, following up on information received in February that an employee had engaged in possible fraud.
The news was later confirmed in a statement External linkby the Geneva Office of the Attorney General.
Two other employees of the election office apparently reported the behaviour of their colleague to authorities some months ago: during several votes, they said, the employee in question had destroyed some ballot papers and added others.
20 Minutes wrote that the results of several votes, some from a few years ago, could be concerned by the fraud.
The employee was questioned by Geneva police on Thursday and the public prosecutor’s investigation into electoral fraud continues.
Switzerland, where citizens vote several times per year under the country’s direct democracy system, is renowned for its well-functioning political system. Cases of voter fraud are not unheard of, however, including one as yet unresolved case in canton Jura.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Wealth is not all: how gentrification in Zurich has led to housing shortage
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Switzerland increasingly a target for people smuggling and trafficking
This content was published on
Switzerland is increasingly being targeted by organized crime. This also applies to commercial people smuggling, the fastest growing criminal market in Europe.
Swiss forests better equipped against storms 25 years after Lothar
This content was published on
Twenty-five years ago, Hurricane Lothar toppled trees like dominoes in Switzerland. Forests today are better prepared to cope with such an exceptional event, say experts.
This content was published on
The Locarno Film Festival is considering moving from the beginning of August to the second half of July for its 80th edition in 2027.
Council of Europe head Alain Berset visits Georgia
This content was published on
The Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, is visiting Georgia, which has been rocked by a political crisis, from Wednesday.
Swiss politician who shot at Jesus faces criminal proceedings
This content was published on
The Zurich public prosecutor's office has opened criminal proceedings against politician Sanija Ameti. It is investigating whether she disrupted freedom of religion and worship.
Switzerland must be able to control immigration, says head of business federation
This content was published on
Switzerland must be able to control immigration itself if it "exceeds the tolerable limits", says Christoph Mäder, president of Economiesuisse, the Swiss Business Federation.
This content was published on
The film Reinas by Klaudia Reynicke, a Swiss-Peruvian-Spanish co-production, has missed out on an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film.
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
Accusations of fraud frame final Jura votes
This content was published on
Two small Bernese municipalities are deciding whether to join the canton of Jura amid voter fraud accusations after the last such vote.
This content was published on
A vote in Moutier, which last year saw the Swiss town switch allegiance from canton Bern to canton Jura, has been declared void.
Historic verdict could force Swiss re-vote on family tax breaks
This content was published on
The Supreme Court has annulled the result of a controversial vote about tax breaks for families – a first in the history of Swiss direct democracy.
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.