The Swiss have been able to speak out again in referendums on Sunday and a small majority has supported a ban on face-covering clothing, according to the first reports. The term burqa did not officially appear on the ballots, but it is clear to everyone that it is about that kind of face covering.
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There are an estimated 30 people in Switzerland who wear a burqa, according to local media.
A large majority has also opposed a special ‘electronic identity’. The government wants to create a legal framework to be able to give the Swiss an ‘e-ID’ that would make many administrative or financial matters much easier via the internet. According to the federal government, the country is far behind other European countries in this area.
But in the referendum, most turned against the bill, fearing that the Swiss government will turn on private internet companies and that this poses dangers to both citizens and the state.
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Swiss referendums are usually held on a Sunday morning and polling stations close at noon. But Swiss people can also vote by mail or e-mail the previous week.
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