Home > 1.3.2.3 Counting procedures/validity of ballots > SWITZERLAND - Federal Act on Political Rights
 
 
 
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Article 38
 

1 Ballot papers are invalid if they


do not contain the name of a candidate standing in the constituency;


are not official;


have been completed or altered other than by hand;;


contain defamatory remarks or obviously irrelevant markings;



  1. 1



2 The following shall be deleted from the ballot paper:


superfluous repetitions if the name of a candidate appears more than twice on a ballot paper;


all names of persons whose candidacies were declared invalid due to multiple candidacy following the rectification of the candidate lists.2


3 If the ballot paper contains more names than there are seats to be allocated, the last pre-printed names on the list that have not been accumulated by hand shall be deleted followed by the last names that have been added by hand.3


4 Grounds for invalidity or nullity that relate to the cantonal procedure (official voting envelope or validation stamp, etc.) remain reserved.4


5 In the case of electronic voting pilot schemes, the legislation of each canton conducting such a scheme determines the requirements according to which votes are validly cast and the grounds for invalidity.5


1 Repealed by No II of the Federal Act of 22 March 1991, with effect from 1 Jul. 1992 (AS 1991 2388; BBl 1990 III 445). 2 Amended by No I of the Federal Act of 26 Sept. 2014 (National Council elections), in force since 1 Nov. 2015 (AS 2015 543; BBl 2013 9217). 3 Amended by No I of the Federal Act of 26 Sept. 2014 (National Council elections), in force since 1 Nov. 2015 (AS 2015 543; BBl 2013 9217). 4 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). 5 Inserted by No I of the Federal Act of 21 June 2002, in force since 1 Jan. 2003 (AS 2002 3193; BBl 2001 6401).