jeu, Mai 9th 2024
Allegations of torn ballot papers during the Ascona municipal elections raise legal and procedural queries.
In the picturesque towns of Ascona and Arbedo-Castione, the integrity of the municipal elections held on April 14 has come under scrutiny. A complaint lodged with the Federal Supreme Court alleges serious irregularities involving the destruction of ballot papers.
According to the claim, the deputy municipal secretary was seen tearing up at least one ballot in Ascona on the morning of the election, an act reportedly unrecorded and conducted away from the oversight of other electoral office members.
This incident, described in a ruling published on Wednesday by the court, was not an isolated occurrence. The complainant highlighted similar misconduct occurring the Friday preceding the election.
However, the Ticino Administrative Court initially declined to take up the case, citing lack of jurisdiction and redirecting the appeal to the Federal Supreme Court.
In a twist, the Supreme Court has redirected the case back to the cantonal court, emphasising that matters of communal election fall within cantonal jurisdiction.
The outcome of these legal proceedings is particularly significant in Ascona, where the electoral balance is delicate. The current municipal council composition stands with the FDP Ascona holding four seats, the Center Party two, and the Red-Green Party one. The Center Party was reportedly a single vote short of securing an additional seat, underscoring the potential impact of even minor vote discrepancies.
Despite these allegations, the electoral process continues. The cantonal audit office has upheld the validity of Ascona’s results, affirming no grounds to annul the April 14 election outcomes.
©Keystone/SDA
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