Nearly 75% of voters in Geneva on Sunday approved an amendment of the cantonal constitution, endorsing a decision taken by the cantonal parliament earlier this year, according to official final resultsExternal link.
About 1,200 citizens will be able to benefit from the new regulations to participate in the political decision-making process both at cantonal and local level.
About 14,000 citizens across Switzerland have a legal guardian because of a severe mental or physical disability. However, they are excluded from votes and elections.
People under guardianship can request their political rights in three of the country’s 26 cantons.
Opponents have warned that third parties could take unfair advantage by voting for a disabled person.
Several European countries, including neighbouring France, Italy and Austria, as well as Britain and Spain, grant disabled people their full political rights, according to the Inclusion Handicap interest group.
More
More
Should people with severe mental disabilities be able to vote?
This content was published on
People with disabilities who have been placed under full guardianship do not have the right to vote in Switzerland. Is this discrimination?
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
This content was published on
The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
This content was published on
An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
This content was published on
The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
This content was published on
The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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
Public broadcaster to increase disabled-friendly content
This content was published on
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) has agreed to increase its offerings for a visually and hearing impaired audience.
Deaf Swiss demand political information in sign language
This content was published on
Voting pamphlets and explanations of federal bills should be available online in sign language, says the Swiss Federation for the Deaf.
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.