1600 signatures on the City of Berne initiative disappear without a trace
Published: Monday, Sep 9th 2024, 15:00
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A postal item containing signatures to be certified for the city's minimum wage initiative has gone missing from the Bern City Chancellery. This was announced by the city on Monday. According to the initiative committee, around 1600 signatures are involved.
A registered letter with signed signature forms was delivered to the city chancellery on July 16, the city announced. However, the mailing was never received by the internal department responsible for checking the signatures.
The loss became known internally last week after the initiative committee enquired about the status of the signature check. Investigations have so far been unsuccessful.
According to the city, criminal behavior cannot be ruled out. For this reason, charges against persons unknown are also being considered.
It is unclear what will happen next. "The City Chancellery is currently examining the legal options as to how the situation can be resolved", the communiqué states. Everything will be done "to limit the damage".
In Bern, 5000 valid signatures are required for a municipal initiative to come into being. The initiative from the red-green camp was launched on May 1; the regular deadline for collecting signatures ends on November 1.
©Keystone/SDA
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