Integrity of Signature Collections: Fifth Criminal Complaint from the Federal Chancellery

Header Section

Executive Summary

The Federal Chancellery filed the fifth criminal complaint on 3 December 2025 on suspicion of electoral fraud in signature collection. Approximately 9,500 suspicious signatures for five federal popular initiatives are affected, the majority of which have already been declared invalid by municipalities. The Federal Chancellery is signalling consistent prosecution of fraud in democratic processes and simultaneously strengthening preventive measures to safeguard democratic integrity.

Main Summary

a) Core Topic & Context

The Swiss direct democracy system is based on the integrity of signature collections for popular initiatives and referendums. Systematic falsifications fundamentally endanger this trust mechanism. The Federal Chancellery is responding to increased fraud attempts with stricter enforcement and preventive measures.

b) Key Facts & Figures

• 5th criminal complaint since discovery of fraud cases (2022, 2024, 2025)
• ~9,500 suspicious signatures for 5 different popular initiatives identified
• >1 million signatures checked in the same period (error rate: <1%)
• Majority of forgeries already declared invalid by municipalities
• Reporting monitoring active nationwide since 15 November 2024
• Criminal complaints include all suspected cases submitted to the Federal Chancellery for popular initiatives

c) Stakeholders & Affected Parties

d) Opportunities & Risks

Risks

• ⚠️ Loss of Trust: Repeated fraud cases can undermine the legitimacy of direct democratic processes
• ⚠️ Scaling Potential: Discovered cases so far could be just the tip of the iceberg
• ⚠️ Professionalization of Fraud: Organized forgery rings possible

Opportunities

• ✅ Deterrent Effect: Consistent prosecution deters future perpetrators
• ✅ Technical Solutions: Digitalization and improved procedures reduce forgery risks
• ✅ Transparency: Open communication strengthens trust in control mechanisms

e) Relevance for Action

Time-critical Implications:

1. For Initiative Committees: Compliance with code of conduct (in finalization) will become mandatory in the future
2. For Municipalities: Expectation of intensified control activities in signature validation
3. For Eligible Voters: Increased attention required when correctly completing signature lists
4. For IT Strategies: Federal Chancellery evaluates technical solutions (unclear: digitalization vs. blockchain-like systems)

Information Expiration Date: Measures are ongoing; code of conduct pending finalization.

Fact-Checking

Supplementary Research

Contextual Classification

The Federal Chancellery's criminal complaints are part of a strategic tightening of control mechanisms that includes the following elements:

1. Legal Regulations (since 1.11.2015):

   • Own handwritten signature, name and first name mandatory
   • Address and date of birth can be completed by third parties
   • Municipal affiliation must be correctly specified

2. Preventive Measures:

   • Code of conduct for all stakeholders involved (in finalization)
   • Real-time monitoring during ongoing signature collections
   • Intensified counting controls

3. Scientific Cooperation:

   • Federal Chancellery works with academia on technical/procedural innovations
   • Goal: Fraud prevention through design

Bibliography

Primary Source

Federal Chancellery: Signature Collections – Fifth Criminal Complaint Filed – 3 December 2025

Supplementary Sources

Swiss Federal Chancellery – Political Rights Department – Central information on direct democratic processes

Federal Council – Measures Against Forgeries in Signature Collections – Political discussions and strategies

Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on 3 December 2025 | Source: Official Press Release Federal Chancellery