Couple Convicted of Election Fraud in Moutier Vote.
Published: Wednesday, Jun 28th 2023, 11:17
Updated At: Friday, Oct 13th 2023, 14:12
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A married couple was sentenced to conditional fines for participating in the 2017 referendum on the cantonal change from Moutier to the canton of Jura. The Federal Court rejected their appeal, supporting the view of the Bern Higher Court that the couple did not have their main residence in Moutier, even though they had moved their residence there in 2009. The Higher Court showed with various points that the couple and their children continued to live in their house after the change of residence. The couple was aware that they did not have the right to exercise their political rights in Moutier. The change of residence was preceded by a dispute between the man and the municipality of residence. After the brother of the woman died in 2019, the couple registered again at their actual place of residence, which is only a few minutes' drive from Moutier. The tax authorities had already concluded in 2016 that the couple's main residence was not in Moutier and that taxes had to be paid at the previous and actual place of residence from 2014. The referendum on the cantonal change of Moutier had to be repeated in 2021 due to irregularities. The public voted in favour of a change to the canton of Jura. The election fraud proceedings had no influence on the transfer of Moutier to the canton of Jura, which is expected to take place in 2026.
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