IFES
 

June 2, 2002 Held

Switzerland
Swiss Confederation
Referendum

Results

Voter Participation


Cast Votes:1,978,123
Valid Votes:None
Invalid Votes:None
Voter
Turnout*

Referendum Vote Share

To legalize abortions performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy

Yes1,399,711

72.00

No537,848

28.00
To further restrict the legality of abortion procedures

Yes352,432

18.20

No1,578,870

81.80
Election Results Modified: Jun 21, 2024

General Information

At stake in this referendum:

  • The referendum will ask voters to decide the legalization of abortions through the twelfth week of pregnancy.

Description of government structure:

  • Chief of State: President Kaspar VILLIGER
  • Head of Government: President Kaspar VILLIGER
  • Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung, Assemblée Fédérale) 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 the 7 members of the Federal Council, which is the formal chief of state. Presently the Federal Council consists of Kaspar VILLIGER, Ruth DREIFUSS, Moritz LEUENBERGER, Pascal COUCHEPIN, Ruth METZLER-ARNOLD, Joseph DEISS, and Samuel SCHMID.

Description of electoral system:

  • The President is appointed by parliament to serve a 1-year term.
  • In the Council of States (Standerat/Conseil des Etats/ Consiglio degli Stati), 6 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms and 40 members are elected by plurality vote in multi-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms*. In the National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil National/Consiglio Nazionale), 195 members are elected by open list proportional representation in multi-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms and 5 members are elected by a plurality system to serve 4-year terms.**
  • * Single-member districts correspond to the former half-cantons whereas two-seat districts correspond to former full cantons. The electoral system is a two round system, with exception of Jura and Neuchâtel, where it is proportional representation.

    ** Seats are apportioned to each canton in proportion to its population. Voters have the option of panachage. The electoral system is proportional representation.

Provisions in this referendum:

  • Change of the Swiss Penal Code (Termination of Preganacy): To officially legalize abortions performed in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
  • People's Initiative 'On Mother and Child -- For the protection of the unborn child and for the help of mothers in distress': To further restrict the legality of abortion procedures.

Population and registered voters:

  • Population: 7,284,753 (2002)
  • Registered Voters: 4,731,017 (2002)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 3,724,499 (2002)

·         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: 1,092,712 (est.)

Election Modified: Jun 21, 2024

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