The report comes amid a series of setbacks of e-voting in Switzerland.
“Digitalisation has prompted an emotional roller coaster of exaggerated hopes and irrational fears,” said the authors of a report on the boon and bane of electronic tools for Swiss-style democracy.
The study found that the increased use of digital technology is simply a matter of time for votes and elections, as well as for the collection of signatures for people’s initiatives and referendums and for forming public opinion.
The authors notably point out the advantage of e-voting for expatriate Swiss as well as for people with special needs.
The report, which was presented on Tuesday, concludes that modern technology is necessary for the development of direct democracy in Switzerland, despite a series of recent setbacks over data security concerns.
The government earlier this year decided to drop plans to introduce e-voting on a permanent basis and both providers of e-vote options on a trial basis withdrew their technology following the discovery of a series of security flaws.
Avenir SuisseExternal link is an independent liberal think tank close to the business community. It regularly publishes reports on a wide range of topics.
More
More
Swiss want state-run eID system, suggests poll
This content was published on
In March, parliament endorsed the government’s recommendation to allow private sector companies to build a system for electronic identities. The front-runner is one developed by Swiss Post and the Swiss Railways, which has the backing of a consortium of large firms. Some 87% of respondents to a poll said they wanted the state to not…
New gel developed in Zurich renders alcohol harmless
This content was published on
A newly developed gel composed of whey proteins breaks down alcohol in the body and could reduce its harmful and intoxicating effects in humans.
Pro-Palestine protests extend to Basel and Fribourg universities
This content was published on
Demonstrators called for an academic boycott of all Israeli institutions and disassociation with Chaim Weizmann, the first Israeli president.
This content was published on
In many cases, China's use of AI undermines the national security of the US and its allies, according to a US government representative.
Swiss Hells Angels trial alleges rape and money laundering
This content was published on
An allegedly high-ranking member of the Hells Angels is accused of money laundering totalling millions and rape, among other serious crimes.
SWISS is airline ‘group flagship’ says Lufthansa boss
This content was published on
Despite challenges, Lufthansa and its most important subsidiary, Swiss International Airlines, promise increased satisfaction and continued growth.
Swiss rediscover communist zeal after 84-year hiatus
This content was published on
Over 300 participants founded the Revolutionary Communist Party (RKP) at its congress in Burgdorf in canton Bern at the weekend.
This content was published on
Nemo brought the Eurovision Song Contest to Switzerland with a victory on Saturday evening in Malmö, Sweden. It is Switzerland's third victory in the history of the music contest.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
No e-vote option for the Swiss parliamentary election
This content was published on
Swiss Post has suspended its e-voting system effectively spelling the end of the online trials with the current technology.
This content was published on
A Swiss think tank is urging Switzerland to give foreigners greater voting rights at the local level, such as allowing foreign residents to stand for local political office. Such a measure will help integration, it argues.
Radical cure proposed for lack of political volunteers
This content was published on
The death knell is ringing for a unique feature of Swiss politics: Citizens serving as volunteers in governments and administrations.
‘Switzerland needs national cryptocurrency’: think tank
This content was published on
Compared with peers in other countriesExternal link, the Swiss National BankExternal link (SNB) has so far shown a distinct reluctance to contemplate issuing a digital currency using distributed ledger technology (DLT). But last week it hosted a conference on the theme: Cryptoassets and Financial InnovationExternal link. In a report entitled “Blockchain After The HypeExternal link”,…
Think tank: Swiss second homes could be better exploited
This content was published on
According to Avenir Suisse, Swiss mountain regions, which cover the southern half of the country, struggle due to low economic growth, internal migration, the strong Swiss franc and the Lex Weber initiative to limit the construction of second homes, which came into force in 2016. However, a report by the think tank published on Tuesday,External…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.