Home > 1.3.2.3 Counting procedures/validity of ballots > SWITZERLAND - Federal Act on Political Rights
 
 
 
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Article 37
 

1 Where a ballot paper contains fewer valid votes for candidates than the number of seats in the National Council allocated to the constituency, the lines that have not been completed on the ballot paper count as additional votes for the electoral list whose designation or reference number is entered on the ballot paper. In the absence of a designation or reference number, or if the ballot paper contains more than one of the eligible list designations or reference numbers, the uncompleted lines are not counted (blank votes).


2 Where more than one regional list with the same designation has been submitted in any canton, additional votes on a ballot paper that does not designate the region are counted towards the list relating to the region in which the ballot paper is handed in.1


2bis In the case of the other possible applications of Article 31 paragraph 1bis, the additional votes are counted towards the list whose designation is entered on the ballot paper. The additional votes on insufficiently designated ballot papers are counted towards the electoral list that has been declared to be the parent list by the group.23


3 Names that do not appear on any electoral list pertaining to the constituency are deleted. …4


4 Where there is a contradiction between the electoral list designation and the reference number, the electoral list designation shall take precedence.


1 Amended by No I of the Federal Act of 18 March 1994, in force since 15 Nov. 1994 (AS 1994 2414; BBl 1993 III 445). 2 Second sentence inserted by No I of the Federal Act of 21 June 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2003 (AS 2002 3193; BBl 2001 6401). 3 Inserted by No I of the Federal Act of 18 March 1994, in force since 15 Nov. 1994 (AS 1994 2414; BBl 1993 III 445). 4 Second and third sentences repealed by No II 4 of the Federal Act of 20 March 2008 on Formal Revision of Federal Legislation, with effect from 1 Aug. 2008 (AS 2008 3437; BBl 2007 6121).