General Information
At stake in this Referendum:
- 3 provisions
Description of government structure:
- Chief of State: President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMF *
- Head of Government: President Eveline WIDMER-SCHLUMF
- Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung/Assemblée Fédérale/Assemblea Federale) consisting of the Council of States (Standerat/Conseil des Etats/ Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats* and the National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil National/Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats**.
* The Federal Presidency rotates among members of the Federal Council, which is the formal chief of state.
* Single-member districts correspond to half-cantons. The electoral system is first-past-the-post. Two-seat districts correspond to full cantons. The electoral system is MNTV.
** Seats are apportioned to each canton or half-canton in proportion to its population. Voters have the option of panachage. In single-member districts, this is effectively a first-past-the-post system.
Main provisions in the Referendum:
- A provision to impose a universal ban on smoking in enclosed spaces
- A provision to secure housing in old age
- A provision for more musical instruction in schools
Electoral Requirements
- An absolute majority of voters must vote "yes" in order for passage.
Population and number of registered voters:
- Population: 7,996,861 (2012)
- Registered Voters: 5,139,055 (March 2012)
Gender Data:
· Female Population: 4,049,513 (2012)
· Is Switzerland a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (23 January 1987)
· Has Switzerland ratified CEDAW: Yes (27 March 1997)
· Gender Quota: No
· Female candidates in this election: N/A
· Number of Female Parliamentarians: 57 (National Council); 9 (Council of States) following the 2011 elections
· Human Development Index Position: 3 (2014)
· Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A
Disability Data:
· Is Switzerland a signatory to CRPD: No
· Has Switzerland ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (15 April 2014)
· Population with a disability: 1,199,529 (est.)