At stake in this Referendum:

• The referendum will ask voters to vote on revisions to two existing federal laws and seven popular initiatives designed to protect public and state interests.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Samuel SCHMID *
• Head of Government: President Samuel SCHMID
• Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung, Assemblée Féderale) consisting of the Council of States (Standerat, Conseil des Etats, or Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats and the National Council (Nationalrat, Conseil National, or Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats.

* President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sports

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Modification on Army XXI law The first provision will ask voters to approve a revision of a federal law (Army XXI) that aims at a reform of the Army (smaller and more professional).
• Federal law on the protection of the population and on civil protection The second provision will ask voters to approve a revision of a federal law regarding civil protection

Population and registered voters:

• Population: 7,339,001 (2003)
• Registered Voters: 4,731,017 (2002)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 3,751,085 (2003)

·         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: 45 (National Council); 9 (Council of States) following the 1999 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: 1,100,850 (est.)