Swiss town probes suspected ballot harvesting in local election scandal
An investigation has been launched into suspected ballot harvesting during local elections in Düdingen. The irregularities came to light after election officials noticed dozens of ballots with nearly identical handwriting. Authorities are now examining whether these issues could have altered the election results for the town's 50-seat General Council.
The electoral office first spotted the unusual ballots last Sunday while counting votes. Many of the submissions shared strikingly similar handwriting, raising concerns over possible manipulation. Officials immediately reported the findings to the district administration of the Sense region.
Under Swiss law, ballot harvesting—where someone collects and submits votes on behalf of others—is a criminal offence. The case has since been referred to the Freiburg public prosecutor's office for further investigation. Prosecutors will determine if the alleged tampering violated Article 282bis of the Swiss Criminal Code. The outcome of the General Council elections remains under scrutiny. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the suspected irregularities influenced the final seat distribution.
The prosecutor's office will now decide whether charges should be filed. If proven, the case could lead to legal consequences for those involved. The investigation continues as officials work to ensure the integrity of Düdingen's election process.
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