Cantonal parliament to introduce electronic voting

With 47 votes to 22, the cantonal parliament has decided to introduce a system of electronic voting, which will mean the public will be able to see on the internet who voted for what.
 
At present the cantonal parliament votes by show of hands or the calling out of a name. With an electronic system, similar to the one used in the National Council in Bern, a monitor will show results in the chamber and some will be able to be seen on the internet.
 
The SVP parliamentary party thought that the new system would provide greater transparency, reliability and efficiency. The CVP party was the only group to vote against the proposal, saying that personal opinion should not be expressed by the pressing of a button. Furthermore, they felt the CHF 470,000 cost of the new system was too much.
 
The SP, AGF and FDP parties all voted for the electronic system, agreeing that transparency was of utmost importance. "Citizens have a right to know who voted for what," one supporter said. As to which results will actually made public, this still has to be determined.
 
It was actually as long as 9 years ago that Martin Stuber of the Alternative Green party call for the introduction of an electronic voting system but this was rejected at the time by 51 votes to 16.
 
The following cantons already have equipment enabling parliamentarians to vote at the push of a button: Bern, Fribourg, Wallis, Geneva, St Gallen, Ticino, Rural Basel, Aargau, Zurich and the half-canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
 


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