Act on the Exercise of Political Rights (LEDP) - Scope (PRG)

1. This Act governs

a) the referendums and elections at the cantonal and municipal levels;

b) the exercise of the initiative and referendum rights at the cantonal and municipal levels;

bbis) the exercise of the popular motion rights;

c) the organization of federal referendums and elections, insofar as they are not subject to federal law.

2. This Act applies mutatis mutandis to municipal associations in accordance with the special legislation.

3. Political financing, the state's participation in campaign costs, and the right of petition are regulated by special legislation.

1. Eligible to vote and participate in elections in cantonal matters are those who have reached the age of 18

a) Swiss citizens who are residents of the canton;

b) Swiss citizens residing abroad who possess citizenship of Freiburg or who previously resided in the canton.

2. To exercise their political rights, Swiss citizens residing abroad must be registered in the electoral roll of a municipality in the canton in accordance with federal legislation.

1. Entitled to vote and participate in elections concerning municipal affairs, upon reaching the age of 18, are

a) Swiss citizens in their municipality of residence;

b) Foreign nationals with permanent residency in their municipality of residence if they have resided in the canton for at least five years (C permit).

2. The municipality of residence is responsible for the registration in the electoral roll. For this purpose, the state regularly provides the municipality with a detailed list, in electronic or printed form, of foreign nationals residing in the municipality who may fulfill the conditions of paragraph 1 letter b. If there are doubts about voting eligibility, the foreign national concerned must cooperate with the municipality in establishing the facts that would justify their registration.

3 ...

4. Foreign nationals registered in a municipal electoral roll who leave the canton will be re-registered in the electoral roll of their municipality of residence upon their return, provided they possess a permanent residency permit.

1. Any person who, due to permanent incapacity of judgment, is under comprehensive guardianship or is represented by a designated deputy, is not entitled to vote in cantonal and municipal matters.

2. The same applies to Swiss citizens living abroad who are subject to protective measures abroad resulting in the withdrawal of their legal capacity due to permanent incapacity of judgment, provided such measures could also have been imposed under Swiss law.

3. Persons who exercise their political rights in another canton cannot exercise their political rights in cantonal and municipal matters in the Canton of Fribourg.

4. The adult protection authority shall inform the relevant municipality of all measures pursuant to paragraph 1 that it orders, as well as any facts related thereto that have an impact on the management of the electoral register.

1. The municipality in which a person has deposited their identification documents with the intention of permanent residence constitutes the political domicile.

2. Persons who change their political domicile after the deadline for receiving voting or election materials must, in the cases outlined in the implementing regulations, provide an official confirmation certifying that they are no longer registered in the electoral register of their former municipality of residence. They can also return the material already received to the municipal authority.

3. Individuals who change their political domicile and are not registered in the electoral roll of the new municipality of residence shall exercise their voting rights in the former municipality of residence.

1. For the fulfillment of tasks under this law and its implementing regulations, each municipality maintains a voting register that lists all eligible voters.

1a. The implementing regulations specify the management of the voting registers in detail and mention the processed data.

2. Prior to a vote, entries in the voting register can be made until the 5th day before the election or voting day.

3. Entries and deletions are made officially. Persons who become eligible to vote on the election or voting day are taken into account. Article 2, paragraph 2 remains reserved.

4. After the closure of the voting register and until the conclusion of the voting process, no entries or deletions may be made. Court-ordered entries and deletions remain reserved.

1. Any person eligible to vote in cantonal matters may inspect the electoral register of any municipality at any time. Those eligible to vote only in municipal matters are restricted to access the electoral register in which they are registered.

2. Any political party or voter group may request a copy of the electoral register by submitting a written application. The municipal council may require reimbursement of costs.

3. If a person has requested that the data concerning them be blocked from the residents' registration office, access to the register will be restricted to the data necessary for the identification of that person.

4. The data may only be used to verify the accuracy of the register. Anyone requesting access must sign a form that highlights this condition and the legal consequences for non-compliance (Art. 158 lit. d).

1. The municipal council appoints an electoral register officer. Otherwise, the municipal clerk assumes this responsibility.

2. The municipal council is responsible for maintaining the electoral register. It may issue the necessary guidelines.

1. No later than the dispatch of the voting or election materials, the municipal council shall appoint an election office, composed of persons eligible to vote in the municipality. It may designate substitute members.

2. The municipal council shall appropriately consider the parties and voter groups represented in the municipality. These groups can submit proposals within the deadlines set in the implementing regulations to this law.

3. The election office shall constitute itself as quickly as possible and appoint its president.

4. Persons eligible to vote and hold office, who have foreign nationality, may be appointed for the functions under paragraphs 1 and 3 in municipal and inter-municipal polls.

5. The municipal council may designate vote counters among the competent residents of the municipality who shall participate in the voting processes under the responsibility of the election office.

1. Every person appointed as a member of the electoral office or as a vote counter is obligated to perform the duties of the office.

2. The following are exempt by virtue of their office

a) the members of the federal councils;

b) the members of the State Council;

c) the members of the Grand Council and the members of the Secretariat of the Grand Council;

d) the State Chancellor and the Deputy Chancellor;

e) the District Officers;

f) the full-time magistrates of the judicial authorities;

g) the staff of the State Chancellery, the district offices, and the office responsible for political rights[1];

h) Swiss citizens residing abroad.

3. The municipal council may exempt persons who provide proof of an important reason for prevention upon their written request.

1. In cantonal and municipal elections, a candidate may neither be a member of the electoral office nor serve as a vote counter.

2. Relatives in a direct line and the spouse of a candidate, or the person with whom the candidate is in a registered partnership, may also neither be a member of the electoral office nor serve as a vote counter.

1. A cantonal electoral register shall be maintained, in which all persons eligible to vote and stand for election at the cantonal or municipal level in the Canton of Fribourg, including Swiss citizens residing abroad, are recorded. The data contained therein is sourced from the municipal electoral registers.

2. The State Chancellery and the municipalities shall have access to the cantonal electoral register to the extent necessary for the performance of their duties under this law and its implementing regulation.

3. The implementing regulation shall determine the organizational and technical measures to ensure the security of the processed data.

4. Furthermore, Article 4 paragraphs 1bis-4 and Articles 5 and 6 shall apply.

1. The State Council organizes

a) the federal elections and referenda;

b) the cantonal elections and referenda;

c) the complete renewal elections of the municipalities.

2. The Municipal Council organizes

a) the municipal referenda;

b) the supplementary elections of the municipality.

3. If this law is analogously applicable to referenda of municipal associations, the board of the municipal association shall have the same powers as the Municipal Council in municipal referenda.

1. The Chief District Officer or District Commissioner ensures the proper conduct of all federal, cantonal, and municipal elections within their district and in the electoral district or districts it comprises. They are responsible for the uniform application of the legal provisions.

2. If this law is applicable mutatis mutandis to votes in municipal associations that extend over several districts, the Chief District Officer or District Commissioner of the association's headquarters is competent.

1. Before each federal, cantonal, or municipal vote, every eligible voter receives from the municipal administration

a) a voting card with a code or another electronic solution that certifies the voting right, along with the information specified in the implementing regulations;

b) the voting and information materials provided for in the implementing regulations.

2. Voters must receive the voting materials within the following deadlines

a) for federal, cantonal, and municipal votes, not earlier than 28 days and no later than 21 days before the voting day;

b) no later than 10 days before federal, cantonal, and municipal elections, but for the second round, no later than 5 days prior.

3. For federal and cantonal votes, every eligible voter has the right to receive the materials in the official language of their choice. This also applies to municipal votes in municipalities where bilingualism is generally practiced.

4. The electoral office ensures that voting materials are made available to eligible voters during the vote.

5. The code or other electronic solution as mentioned in paragraph 1 contains the personal identification number that connects the voters with the voting card, and, if necessary, the following data

a) the mention of Swiss or foreign nationality (without specifying the nationality);

b) the gender;

c) the year of birth;

d) the number of the municipality of residence.

6. The data mentioned in the preceding paragraph may only be used for the purpose of verifying voting eligibility.

1. The State Council issues a voting brochure for cantonal votes, which is included with the voting materials and contains the following

a) the voting question;

b) brief and factual explanations of the voting proposal, specifically reflecting the main positions represented in the parliamentary decision-making process;

c) the result of the vote of the Grand Council on the voting proposal;

d) the opinion and voting recommendation of the State Council and the Grand Council.

2. For initiatives or optional referendums, the committee submits a text with its arguments to the State Council. This text is treated equally to the authorities' opinion. The State Council may alter or refuse statements that are defamatory, demonstrably false, or too lengthy.

3. The content and design of the voting brochure must not resemble a promotional brochure. It must also not contain advertisements.

4. The content of the voting brochure must be simple and preferably in a language that is understandable and accessible to all citizens.

5. This article applies correspondingly to municipal votes at the ballot box. If necessary, it is the responsibility of the executive body of the respective municipality to create the brochure.

1. The State Council continuously informs the eligible voters about the cantonal voting proposals by explaining the position of the cantonal authorities.

2. The State Council may take a stance on municipal voting proposals if the outcome of the vote is of particular interest to the canton.

3. Each of its interventions must adhere to the principles of objectivity, transparency, and proportionality.

4. Paragraphs 1 and 3 apply mutatis mutandis to municipal votes at the polls. If applicable, it is the responsibility of the executive body of the respective municipality to inform.

5. The executive authorities of a municipality may take a stance on a cantonal voting proposal if the outcome of the vote is of direct and particular interest to the respective municipality and far exceeds the interest of other municipalities.

1. The polling takes place on the days and times established in the resolution for convening the eligible voters.

2. The polling station is open on Sunday at least from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.

3. The municipal council may also open the polling station on Friday and Saturday.

4. The day of the election or vote within the meaning of this law is Sunday.

1. During each election, the election office seals the ballot boxes on the first day designated for the delivery of voting materials to eligible voters.

2. Upon sealing the ballot boxes, the president of the election office ensures they are empty, verifies their closure, and seals them.

3. The election office ensures the security of the ballot boxes during any interruption of the voting process.

1. Polling stations shall be set up in such a way as to ensure free, secret, secure, and easy voting.

2. Voting booths shall be provided if necessary.

1. The electoral office is responsible for maintaining order in the polling stations and their immediate vicinity; if necessary, it may request police assistance.

2. Election propaganda, the distribution of leaflets, party tickets or lists of parties or political groups, checking off voters, and the collection of signatures are prohibited in the polling stations.

3. The electoral office prohibits individuals who disturb the voting process or attempt to control or influence voters from entering the polling station.

1. Anyone who wishes to exercise their voting right at the polling station must personally visit the polling station with their voting materials.

2. The voting person is registered, and the municipal stamp is affixed to the voting materials. Subsequently, they hand over their voting card to a ballot counter, who then calls out their name.

3. The eligible voter places the voting envelope, containing the ballot paper or the electoral list, into the ballot box themselves.

1. Every eligible voter may exercise their voting right by mail or by early submission at the municipality as soon as they receive their voting materials.

2. They must sign the voting authorization form; otherwise, the vote is invalid.

2bis. Individuals unable to write may have their ballot or voting list filled out and their voting authorization form signed by a competent person of their choice. This person must legibly add their name, first name, and full address to their signature.

3. The sealed return envelope containing the voting authorization form and the voting envelope, which only contains the ballot or the voting list, must

a) either be handed over to the post office in due time so that it arrives at the polling office before the close of voting; postage costs are generally borne by the eligible voter; envelopes that are not or insufficiently stamped will be refused;

b) or be submitted at the municipal office or a location designated by the municipal council no later than before the opening of the polling station on Sunday.

4. Any organized collection of return envelopes is prohibited (Art. 282bis of the Swiss Criminal Code).

5. ...

1. The response envelopes may be opened upon receipt at the municipal office in order to record their contents and verify the voting eligibility of the voters.

2. Once the voting eligibility of the voters and the presence of their signature have been confirmed, the voting envelopes are placed unopened into the appropriate ballot box.

3. The procedures mentioned in the preceding paragraphs may only be carried out by municipal employees. The municipal council may decide that they occur in the presence of a delegation from the electoral office.

1. Persons who are unable to perform the actions necessary for exercising the right to vote may vote at home in the presence of a delegation from the electoral office.

1. Voting may be conducted electronically under the following conditions

a) The legal, technical, and organizational requirements of federal legislation on electronic voting and data protection are met.

b) Appropriate measures are taken to ensure the security of the voting process, the reliability of the results, and the secrecy of the vote, to prevent external influence, and to maintain digital integrity.

c) The system used has been approved by the federal government.

2. For federal elections, the use of electronic voting requires a basic authorization from the Federal Council, as long as this is required by federal law.

3. Electronic voting is introduced gradually within the limits set by federal law. The State Council decides for which ballots electronic voting is possible and determines, in consultation with the affected municipalities, the area where electronic voting can take place.

4. The State Council informs the eligible voters in an appropriate manner about the organization, functioning, and process of electronic voting. It may delegate this task to a subordinate authority.

5. The State Council may establish the technical and organizational conditions in a regulation.

1. The President of the Electoral Office declares the voting closed on Sunday at 12 PM and ensures the polling station is secured.

1. The votes shall be counted at the office of the electoral committee and under its supervision.

2. In municipalities with multiple polling stations, the counting shall take place at the office of the president of the electoral committee or in the individual polling stations under the supervision of a member of the electoral committee designated for this purpose.

3. The chief administrative officer may order all necessary measures to ensure the security of the count.

1. After the closing of the polling station, the election office shall immediately open the ballot boxes and begin counting the ballot papers or voting lists.

2. However, the counting of the ballot papers or voting lists submitted in person or received by mail may commence on the morning of the election Sunday.

3. The election office shall decide on the validity of the ballot papers or voting lists.

4. The number of voters corresponds to the number of ballot papers or voting lists received.

**1. All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the results of the early counting remain confidential. The election office shall take appropriate measures to ensure, in particular, that:**

a) no information can leak from the location where the votes are counted early;

b) the vote counters cannot leave the location where the votes are counted early before the closing of the polling station; exceptions are reserved, which the president of the election office may decide on a case-by-case basis, while adhering to customary precautionary measures.

**2. Every departure from the location and every contact with third parties must be recorded in the protocol.**

1. Municipalities may, with the approval of the State Chancellery, use optical reading devices for the counting of ballots in municipal, cantonal, or federal votes.

1. The ballots compatible with optical reading devices shall be produced by the affected municipalities in such a way as to prevent any confusion during voting.

2. All municipal, cantonal, and federal referendum proposals shall be listed on the same ballot as far as possible.

3. The draft proofs shall be submitted to the State Chancellery for approval. The same applies to the final ballots, of which some copies must be presented to the State Chancellery before they are dispatched to the voters.

4. The production and printing costs for these ballots shall be borne by the municipalities. The cost of any possible reprinting shall be borne by the community responsible for it.

1. Ballots are declared blank if they do not contain an answer to the question submitted for voting. If a ballot contains multiple questions, the unanswered questions are considered blank votes.

2. Ballots are invalid if they

a) are not official;

b) are not submitted in an official ballot envelope;

c) are not intended for the relevant election;

d) do not answer the question posed with Yes or No, or if both proposals are marked in a vote on two alternative proposals;

e) contain an illegible or ambiguous answer;

f) contain indecent and insulting expressions;

g) include a mark that is intended or suitable to identify the voter;

h) are filled out in a manner other than handwritten;

i) are submitted in several copies in the same envelope but are not identical.

3. For a ballot with multiple questions, the grounds for invalidity under subsections d and e apply only to the respective questions.

1. Lists are declared void if they do not contain a name.

2. Lists are invalid if they

a) are not official;

b) are not submitted in an official ballot envelope;

c) are not intended for the relevant election;

d) do not contain a legible name;

e) contain only invalid votes;

f) in proportional representation elections, include the designation of the submitted list but no official candidates;

g) contain improper and insulting expressions;

h) have been filled out or altered in a manner other than by handwriting;

i) if printed, contain the names and surnames of candidates from different submitted lists or do not replicate in exact order the names and surnames from one of the official lists;

j) contain a mark that is intended or suitable to identify the voting person;

k) are submitted in multiple copies in the same envelope but are not identical.

1. Votes are invalid

a) if they are cast for individuals who are not eligible or are not allowed to run in the respective election;

b) if the relevant name is illegible;

c) if all the details required for a clear and unequivocal identification of the candidate are not provided;

d) if the name is crossed out;

e) if a name is repeated, insofar as cumulative voting is prohibited;

f) insofar as their number exceeds the number of seats to be filled.

1. The authority responsible for the proclamation or determination of results shall order a recount of the votes if the difference between the "yes" and "no" votes on a matter is 0.3% or less of the valid votes cast.

2. Votes shall also be recounted if the difference between the valid votes cast for an initiative and those for the counter-proposal is 0.3% or less.

3. The election result under the majority system shall be recounted if the vote difference between an elected person and a non-elected person is 0.3% or less of the votes cast for the elected person.

4. The recount as referred to in paragraphs 1-3 is ordered by

a) the election office in the election of the municipal council under the majority system;

b) the municipal council in a municipal vote;

c) the state council in

1. the election of district officers;

2. the election of the state council;

3. the election of the council of states;

4. cantonal votes.

5. The preceding paragraphs do not apply to

a) municipal and cantonal elections under the proportional system;

b) votes organized by municipal associations under Articles 123c and 123f of the Municipalities Act;

c) national council elections and federal votes.

1. Except in the cases under Article 25a, votes shall be recounted if

a) there are concrete indications of irregularities in the organization or conduct of the vote, and

b) the result is close.

2. The recount as referred to in paragraph 1 shall be ordered by

a) the Chief Administrative Officer in the case of

1. municipal elections under the proportional representation and majoritarian systems;

2. municipal referendums.

b) the State Council in the case of cantonal referendums and elections under the proportional representation and majoritarian systems.

3. In elections under the proportional representation system, the recount may be ordered for the entire affected electoral district or only for a part of it.

1. The recount shall be conducted by the election offices of the affected municipalities, irrespective of the authority that orders it.

2. If the recount again results in a vote difference of 0.3% or less (Art. 25a) or is narrow (Art. 25b), a second recount is excluded. The result of the recount shall be deemed final.

1. The electoral office prepares a record for each polling event, containing the detailed results of the vote count and the actions taken.

2. The record is prepared on the corresponding official form in two copies.

3. The State Council may issue supplementary regulations.

1. In federal and cantonal elections, the polling office promptly provides the prefect with a copy of the protocol.

2. The prefect promptly transmits the summary table of the results of their district and the protocols to the State Chancellery.

2bis. The State Chancellery promptly transmits the results of the elections to the Council of State.

3. The Council of State promptly transmits the results of the federal election to the Federal Chancellery in accordance with the relevant federal regulations.

4. The Council of State transmits the results of the elections to the Council of States, the Grand Council, the Council of State, and the office of the prefect, along with the corresponding documents, to the Grand Council.

1. In municipal ballot proceedings, the election office promptly transmits a copy of the protocol to the district officer (female) or district officer (male) and immediately publishes the result of the ballot publicly.

2. In general renewal elections of municipal authorities, the district officer (female) or district officer (male) ensures the transmission of the results from all municipalities within their district.

1. Proposals submitted to a vote by the canton and municipalities shall be deemed accepted if they are approved by the majority of voters, calculated based on the number of valid ballots. Exceptions are reserved for cases where the law permits the acceptance of two alternative proposals; in such instances, a subsidiary question determines the outcome.

1. The protocols and records of all federal, cantonal, and communal ballots shall be preserved and destroyed in accordance with the regulations of the Council of State.

1. The State Council convenes the eligible voters no later than the Monday of the sixth week before the voting day with a resolution published in the official gazette.

1. In federal referendums, the State Council publishes the cantonal results of the voting in the Official Gazette.

2. In cantonal referendums, the State Council determines the final result of the voting and publishes it in the Official Gazette.

1. The municipal council convenes the eligible voters with a resolution published in the official gazette no later than the Monday of the sixth week before the ballot.

1. The municipal council establishes the final result of the ballot and posts it publicly.

1. The Exercise of Political Rights in the Context of Municipal Assemblies shall be governed, for matters not regulated by this Act, by the Municipalities Act.

1. Each candidate list must bear a designation that distinguishes it from the other lists submitted for the respective election in the electoral district. For the election to the Grand Council in the electoral districts of Glane and Vivisbach, Article 75a paragraphs 2 and 3 regarding list designation are reserved.

2. Each political party or voter group has the right to the exclusive use of its list designation within the electoral district for the respective election.

3. Corporately organized political parties or voter groups can secure the right to exclusive use of their list designation for the future through an explicit declaration, as long as they have not changed it.

4. Authorized to accept this declaration are

a) The State Chancellery for federal and cantonal elections;

b) The municipal administration for municipal elections.

1. If the designation of an electoral list leads to confusion with the designation of a previously submitted electoral list or one that possesses the right to exclusive use, or contains terms that are offensive to a party, a group of voters, a candidate, or the authorities, the person authorized by the signatories shall be requested to correct it within a short period, otherwise it is invalid.

2. The correction of an electoral list may be demanded by

a) the State Chancellery in federal elections and in the elections to the Council of States and the State Council;

b) the District Office in the elections to the Grand Council and in the election of the District Officer;

c) the Municipal Secretariat in municipal elections.

3. If the designation of a list is disputed, the decision will be made by

a) the Council of State in federal and cantonal elections;

b) the District Officer in municipal elections.

4. In cantonal and municipal elections, an appeal against the decision can be lodged according to Articles 150 et seq.

1. In cantonal elections, the state organizes the printing of the electoral lists and bears the printing costs.

2. ...

3. In municipal elections, the municipal council decides whether the municipality

a) arranges for the printing of the electoral lists;

b) fully or partially covers the printing costs.

1. The blank and printed lists handed out to the eligible voters must contain the information specified in the implementing regulations.

1. In cantonal elections, the municipalities distribute the submitted electoral lists and bear the resulting costs.

2. In municipal elections, political parties or voter groups can have their electoral lists distributed by the municipality at the latter's expense.

3. For distribution at the municipality's expense, the electoral lists printed by the parties or voter groups must be submitted no later than Monday of the fourth week before the Sunday set for the election, and in the case of a second round, no later than Tuesday of the second week before the Sunday set for the election, by 12:00 PM.

1. National Council elections are held every four years in accordance with federal legislation and the following provisions.

1. The State Council convenes the eligible voters for the election of National Council members by no later than the Monday of the eighth week before the ballot.

2. The convocation resolution is published in the official gazette and posted in the municipalities.

1. Political parties and voter groups must submit the candidate lists to the state chancellery no later than 12:00 PM on the Monday of the eighth week before the election.

2. The lists can be amended until 12:00 PM on the Monday following the deadline for election registration.

1. The elections for the Council of States are conducted according to the majoritarian system in accordance with the provisions of this law.

2. The members of the Council of States are elected at the same time as the members of the National Council.

1. The State Council transmits the election results to the Council of States.

2. The current members of the Council of States remain in office until the swearing-in of the elected individuals.

1. The State Council convenes the eligible voters by a decision published in the Official Gazette for

a) the elections for the Council of States;

b) the elections for the Grand Council and the State Council, as well as for the election of District Governors;

c) the general renewal elections in the municipalities.

2. The eligible voters are convened no later than on the Monday of the eighth week before the elections.

1. Municipalities with a General Council may divide their area into several electoral districts through a generally applicable regulation.

1. The general renewal elections of the Grand Council, the Council of State, and the District Prefects take place every five years on the date set by the Council of State in the fourth quarter.

2. The general renewal elections of the Municipal Councils and General Councils take place every five years on the date set by the Council of State in the first quarter. The specific legal provisions regarding municipal mergers shall remain reserved.

1. Every person eligible to vote in cantonal matters is eligible for election to the Council of States, the State Council, and the position of Prefect, provided they have residence in the canton. However, anyone who has been a member of the State Council for three full legislative periods is not eligible for re-election.

2. Every eligible voter is electable to the Grand Council in the district where they have their political residence. Elected individuals and substitute members who change their electoral district during the legislative period may retain their seat in the Grand Council for the remainder of the legislative period or be declared elected.

3. Every person eligible to vote in municipal matters is eligible for election to the Municipal Council or the General Council of the municipality where they have their political residence. Elected persons who change their political residence during the legislative period are considered to have resigned as of the day they deposit their identity documents in the new municipality of residence.

1. The following individuals cannot be members of the Grand Council

a) members of the Council of State;

b) the Secretary General and other members of the Secretariat of the Grand Council;

c) Prefects;

d) professional judges and court clerks;

e) employees of the State appointed by the Council of State or one of its Directorates who participate in the exercise of executive power or are significantly involved in the preparation of decision-making bases for the Grand Council.

2. Persons referred to in paragraph 1(e) in particular include

a) the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, the Secretaries General, and the Heads of Service;

b) employees of the State Chancellery;

c) members of the police command;

d) the management of cantonal institutions and enterprises in which the State holds at least 50% of the company capital.

3. The Grand Council decides, upon the application of its competent instance for verification, on the incompatibility of persons elected to the Grand Council.

4. If a person holding an office declared incompatible accepts their election to the Grand Council, they shall resign from the office.

5. If a member of the Grand Council accepts an office declared incompatible, they shall resign from the Grand Council.

1. Incompatibilities with the Office of a General Council Member or a Municipal Council Member are governed by the Law on Municipalities.

1. Candidate lists are formed by political parties and voter groups.

2. Each list must have a clear designation at the top.

1. Each list must be signed by individuals eligible to vote in the respective electoral district.

2. An individual may not sign more than one list; otherwise, their signature is invalidated on all signed lists.

3. The individual signing cannot withdraw their signature after the submission of the list.

4. The signatories of the list appoint an authorized representative responsible for communications with authorities, as well as a deputy. If not, the individuals whose names appear first and second in the order of signatures are considered the authorized representative and the deputy, respectively.

5. The authorized representative, or, if prevented, their deputy, is entitled and obligated to issue legally binding declarations in the name of the signatories necessary to resolve any objections.

6. The lists of signatories can be inspected until the closing of the polling process

a) at the State Chancellery, for elections to the Council of State and the Council of States;

b) at the Office of the Prefect, for elections to the Grand Council and the office of Prefect;

c) at the Municipality Office, for municipal elections.

1. In elections to the Council of States, the Grand Council, the Council of State, and the office of District President, the obligation mentioned in Article 52 does not apply to a political party that was properly registered in the party register at the end of the year preceding the elections.

2. If a party fulfills the conditions according to paragraph 1, it must only submit the legally valid signatures of all candidates, the authorized person responsible for communication with the authorities, as well as their deputy.

**1. A political party may officially register with the State Chancellery if it:**

a) has the legal form of an association within the meaning of Articles 60-79 of the Civil Code, which primarily pursues political objectives according to its statutes;

b) is represented in the Grand Council under the same name with at least three members.

**2. For registration in the party register, the party shall submit the following documents and information to the State Chancellery:**

a) a copy of the statutes;

b) the statutory name and the seat of the party;

c) the names and addresses of the presiding and executive persons of the party.

**3. The State Chancellery shall maintain a register of the parties' information.**

**4. Every registered party shall promptly report to the State Chancellery any changes to its statutes, its name and seat, as well as the names and addresses of the presiding and executive persons of the party.**

**5. This register can be accessed online or at the State Chancellery. The registration documents are also held at the State Chancellery. They are available in paper form to persons wishing to inspect them.**

1. Candidates register their candidacy by placing their signature on the list.

2. If the signature is missing, the name will be removed by the authority responsible for the registration of the submitted election lists.

3. The candidate cannot withdraw their signature after the submission of the list.

1. The electoral lists must not contain more names than the number of persons to be elected in the respective election. The names of the surplus candidates shall be removed starting from the end of the list.

2. The name of a candidate may not appear more than once on a list.

3. The lists must contain for all candidates their surname, given name, gender, date of birth, profession, residential address, place of origin or nationality, and, if applicable, other suitable information to identify them and distinguish them from other candidates.

1. In elections conducted under the proportional representation system, the name of a person listed on multiple ballots shall be promptly removed from all such ballots.

2. If the lists for the Grand Council elections are submitted within the same district, the name shall be removed by the Chief Administrative Officer; if they are submitted in different districts, the name shall be removed by the State Chancellery.

3. In municipal elections, the name shall be removed by the municipal clerk's office.

1. Non-eligible or surplus persons are removed from the election lists

a) by the State Chancellery for the elections of the State Council and the Council of States;

b) by the District Office for the elections of the Grand Council and the election of the District Prefects;

c) by the Municipal Clerk's Office for municipal elections.

2. The removed persons and the authorized representatives of the signatories are notified without delay.

3. All disputes are submitted without delay to the State Council for cantonal elections, and to the District Prefect for municipal elections. The authority shall communicate its decision to the affected persons and the authorized representatives of the signatories.

4. An appeal against the decision can be lodged in accordance with Articles 150 et seq.

1. Only the signatories can replace the removed persons and correct or supplement their designation, at the request of

a) the State Chancellery for the State Council and Council of States elections;

b) the District Office for the Grand Council elections and the elections of the District Governors;

c) the Municipal Writing Office for municipal elections.

2. The information regarding the persons replacing the removed candidates and the details for correcting the electoral lists must be communicated to the competent body no later than 12 p.m. on the Monday of the fifth week before the election. However, for Council of States elections, the deadline ends on the Monday of the seventh week before the election.

3. The notifications about the replacement of persons declared ineligible must be accompanied by the signature of the new candidates, certifying that they accept the electoral proposal. If this signature is missing, if the new candidates already appear on another electoral list, are ineligible, or if not all the required details about them are provided, they will be removed.

4. Without any contrary notification from the signatories, the new candidates will be placed at the end of the list.

5. If the list is not supplemented or corrected within the deadline according to paragraph 2, it will be limited to the valid candidacies that meet the formal requirements.

1. After the deletions, additions, and adjustments have been made, the competent body shall prepare the final candidate lists and assign them a number. These lists are the official lists.

2. The publication of unofficial lists is prohibited.

1. The State Chancellery assumes the duties of the cantonal election office during cantonal and federal voting processes.

1. For the elections to the Grand Council and the election of Prefects, the Prefect shall establish an election office for the district or districts from which his or her district is composed, at least ten days before the election.

2. He or she determines the number of members of the election office and their substitutes as needed and designates them from among the eligible voters in the electoral district. He or she also appoints the secretary.

2bis. For the Grand Council elections, the Prefects of the Glâne and Vivisbach districts jointly appoint a delegation from the members of both election offices in their districts, which is responsible for the allocation of seats within the electoral district connection (Art. 75a-75d) under the supervision of both Prefects. They shall also coordinate among themselves for any possible drawing of lots.

3. Otherwise, the provisions concerning the municipal election office apply mutatis mutandis.

1. The Grand Council officially establishes the results of the elections for the Grand Council and the State Council, as well as the election of the Prefects or Deputy Prefects, based on the message of the State Council (Confirmation).

2. There is no confirmation for municipal elections.

3. The State Council publishes the results of the cantonal elections in the Official Gazette.

4. The Prefectures publish the composition of the municipal authorities elected in their electoral district in the Official Gazette.

1. The elections for the Grand Council and General Council shall be conducted according to the proportional representation system in accordance with the provisions of this law.

1. The municipal council elections shall also be conducted according to the proportional representation system, provided that a corresponding written request is submitted by no later than Friday of the seventh week before the election day at 12:00 noon.

2. The request must be submitted to the municipal administration office and must contain at least the following number of signatures from persons eligible to vote in the respective municipality

a) 5 in municipalities with a civil population of less than 100 persons;

b) 10 in municipalities with a civil population of 100 to 300 persons;

c) 15 in municipalities with a civil population of 301 to 600 persons;

d) 20 in municipalities with a civil population of more than 600 persons.

2bis. The lists of signatories can be inspected at the municipal administration office until the close of the polls.

3. The request must be publicly posted no later than Friday of the seventh week before the election day at 6:00 p.m.

4. If no list is submitted within the deadline according to Article 64 paragraph 1, the request shall become void.

1. For the election of the members of the Grand Council, the canton territory is divided into eight electoral districts.

2. These are the electoral districts

a) Municipality of Fribourg;

b) Saane-Land;

c) Sense;

d) Gruyère;

e) Lake;

f) Glane;

g) Broye;

h) Vivisbach.

3. The first electoral district comprises only the Municipality of Fribourg, the second includes all other municipalities of the Saane district. The remaining six electoral districts have the same extent as the administrative districts of the same name.

1. The seats of the Grand Council shall be distributed among the electoral districts as follows

a) the number of the civil population shall be divided by the number of seats of the Grand Council;

b) the next highest whole number following the result shall constitute the quotient for distribution;

c) each electoral district is entitled to as many seats as the quotient is contained in the number of its civil population;

d) the remaining seats shall be distributed among the districts with the largest remainders; if several districts have the same remainder and only one seat is left to be assigned, it shall be allocated to the electoral district with the highest number of inhabitants.

2. Before the complete renewal of the Grand Council, the State Council shall distribute the seats according to the latest officially published statistics of the civil population.

1. The candidate lists must be submitted no later than 12:00 PM on the Monday of the sixth week before the election day.

2. The lists must be submitted

a) for the Grand Council elections, at the district office of the district to which the respective electoral district belongs;

b) for the General Council and Municipal Council elections, at the municipal clerk's office.

1. For the elections to the Grand Council, each list must be signed personally by 50 individuals who are registered in the electoral register of a municipality within the respective electoral district and eligible to vote in cantonal matters. Article 52a remains reserved.

2. For the elections to the General Council and Municipal Council, the list must be personally signed by at least the following number of eligible voters residing in the respective municipality

a) 5 in municipalities with a civil population of less than 100 persons;

b) 10 in municipalities with a civil population of 100 to 300 persons;

c) 15 in municipalities with a civil population of 301 to 600 persons;

d) 20 in municipalities with a civil population of more than 600 persons.

1. In the elections for the Grand Council, lists in the constituencies of Glâne and Veveyse can be combined to form pairs with a declaration of intent to create a pair.

2. This declaration must

a) be signed by the authorized person in accordance with Articles 52 paragraph 4 and 52a paragraph 2;

b) explicitly designate the list from the other constituency with which a pair is to be formed, and

c) be submitted in both constituencies together with the respective list.

3. The declaration of intent to form a list pair is irrevocable for the relevant election.

4. Lists that are combined into pairs must indicate their affiliation to a list pair. If the indication is missing, they are considered individual lists.

1. In cantonal and municipal elections, list connections are prohibited.

1. If the number of candidates on all lists is equal to or less than the number of available seats, a silent election does not take place; instead, an election is held

a) according to the provisions of Articles 81 and 82 for the Grand Council and General Council elections;

b) according to the provisions of Articles 98 et seq. for the Municipal Council elections.

2. The submitted lists remain valid. They are printed and distributed in accordance with the ordinary provisions.

1. Anyone exercising their right to vote may choose either a blank list or a printed list.

2. Anyone using a blank list must fill it out in whole or in part by hand and may enter a list designation and the ordinal number of a list.

3. Anyone using a printed list may cross out names or mix the list with names from other lists and may strike out the pre-printed ordinal number or list designation and replace it with another.

4. Amendments, additions, or deletions must be made by hand.

5. It is prohibited to list a person's name more than once on a list. The repetition of the name is considered as not written.

6. In case of a conflict between the list designation and the ordinal number, the list designation shall prevail.

1. Any person exercising their right to vote has as many votes as there are positions to be filled in the respective electoral district or municipal authority.

2. The names of the surplus candidates are struck out starting from the end of the list and, if applicable, from left to right.

1. The votes given to the candidates (candidate votes) count both for the candidates themselves and for the published electoral list on which they appear.

1. If a list contains fewer names than seats to be allocated, the unassigned votes are attributed to the party or voter group whose designation or ordinal number is at the top of the list.

2. If the designation and ordinal number are missing, or if the list contains multiple designations or ordinal numbers, the unassigned votes count as blank votes.

3. Names not included on any final electoral list are considered as not written.

1. After the closure of the polling stations, the election offices of the municipalities count the votes.

2. They determine

a) the number of votes each individual candidate from the various lists has received (candidate votes);

b) the number of additional votes obtained by each list;

c) the total number of candidate votes and additional votes (list votes).

3. In the elections for the Grand Council, the election offices of the municipalities transmit the results to the district election office.

1. The electoral offices of the district or municipalities subsequently allocate the seats to the individual lists according to the following provisions.

2. In the Great Council elections, the district election office compiles the submitted votes based on the protocols and lists that have been sent to it by the municipal election offices.

3. For the Great Council elections, the allocation of seats in the electoral districts of Glane and Vivisbach is governed by Articles 59 and 75a-75d.

1. The number of valid party votes from all lists is divided by the amount of seats to be allocated increased by one. The next higher whole number is referred to as the distribution number (electoral quotient).

2. Each list is allocated as many seats as the distribution number contained within its vote count.

1. The remaining seats are allocated individually and successively according to the following rules

a) the number of votes for each list is divided by the number of seats already allocated to it plus one;

b) the next seat is allocated to the list with the highest quotient;

c) if several lists have the same claim to the next seat due to identical quotients, the seat goes to the list that achieved the highest remainder during the division under Article 74 paragraph 2;

d) if several lists still have the same claim, the seat goes to the list with the highest number of party votes;

e) if several lists still have the same claim, the next seat is allocated to the list where the candidate under consideration for the election received the highest number of votes;

f) if several such candidates have the same number of votes, the decision is made by lot.

2. This procedure is repeated until all seats are allocated.

1. The electoral districts of Glane and Vivisbach form an electoral coalition for the allocation of seats in the Grand Council elections.

2. In the first allocation of seats, the lists combined in pairs, as per Article 65a, are each considered as a single list; any additional lists are considered as individual lists.

3. The seats allocated to the list pairs are subsequently distributed among the lists that form the pair.

1. The number of valid party votes for each list is divided by the number of seats to be allocated in the respective electoral district, and the result is rounded down to the nearest whole number. The votes weighted in this manner for the paired lists are then added together.

2. The sum of the weighted votes for the lists is divided by the number of seats to be allocated within the electoral alliance, increased by one. The result, rounded up to the nearest whole number, is referred to as the distribution number.

3. Each pair of lists and any individual lists receive as many seats as the distribution number is contained within the number of their weighted votes. Article 75 applies mutatis mutandis for the allocation of the remaining seats.

**1. The number of weighted votes for each list pair is divided by the number of seats allocated to it. The result, rounded up to the next whole number, is called the distribution number.**

**2. Each list receives as many seats as the distribution number is contained in its weighted vote count. The remaining seats are allocated to the lists of the two combined electoral districts that have the largest remainder numbers.**

**3. If the remainder numbers are equal, the respective seat goes to the list whose relevant candidate has the highest number of votes. In the event of an equal vote count, the decision is made by drawing lots.**

1. Should the number of seats allocated to the two electoral districts differ from those they are entitled to under Article 63, the seats in question shall be redistributed from the overrepresented to the underrepresented district through the following procedure using the consolidated lists in pairs

a) In the underrepresented electoral district, the number of weighted votes for each of these lists is divided by the number of seats it is entitled to plus one (first quotient).

b) In the overrepresented electoral district, the number of weighted votes for each of these lists is divided by the number of seats it is entitled to (second quotient).

c) In each list pair, the first quotient is divided by the second quotient, resulting in a double quotient for each pair.

d) The redistribution of the surplus seat is carried out in the list pair with the highest double quotient. In the event of equal double quotients, the decision is made by drawing lots.

2. If multiple seats need to be redistributed, this procedure shall be repeated taking the seats already redistributed into account.

1. Once the number of seats allocated to each list is known, the candidates with the most votes are declared elected.

2. The unelected persons from each list (substitute members) are recorded in the minutes in the order of their number of votes.

3. If several candidates on a list have obtained the same number of votes and none waive the acceptance of election, the decision is made by lot. Those excluded by lot or those who waive retain their place in the directory of substitute members.

4. Responsible for the proclamation of the elected and the decision by lot is

a) the Chief Magistrate for the Grand Council elections;

b) the Election Office for the General Council and Municipal Council elections.

5. If a list wins more seats than it has candidates, a supplementary election is held for the remaining seats.

**1. If a seat becomes vacant during the legislative term, the first substitute candidate on the respective list shall be declared elected:**

a) by the district magistrate in cantonal council elections;

b) by the municipal council in general council and municipal council elections.

**2. After the proclamation, the first substitute candidate has 3 days to decline the election. In the event of a later vacancy, their name will be considered again, unless the previous vacancy has already led to a by-election.**

**3. If multiple substitute candidates have achieved the same number of votes, Article 76 paragraphs 3 and 4 shall apply mutatis mutandis.**

1. If the list to which the person to be replaced belongs is exhausted, a supplementary election shall be conducted.

1. The supplementary election shall be organized subject to the provisions of this article and Article 80 in accordance with the provisions concerning the general renewal elections.

2. The supplementary election must, in principle, be conducted no later than eight weeks after a seat becomes vacant or, if there are still seats to be filled, following the proclamation of the elected persons (Art. 76 para. 5, 78 and 82 para. 5).

3. If a seat becomes vacant in the last six months before the general renewal elections, no supplementary election shall take place.

4. If an application for conducting the general renewal election of the municipal council under the proportional representation system has been submitted, the supplementary election must be conducted in the same manner.

5 ...

1. If the number of candidates on all submitted lists in a supplementary election is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled, the candidates shall be declared elected without a ballot

a) by the Prefect for the Grand Council elections;

b) by the Municipal Council for the General Council and Municipal Council elections.

2. If all seats are filled, the decision to convene the voters of the respective district or municipality shall be annulled by the competent authority.

3. If, after the proclamation of the persons elected without a ballot, there are still vacant seats, the convening of the voters of the respective district or municipality shall be maintained, and the ballot shall take place in accordance with the provisions on open elections.

1. If no electoral list has been submitted, the eligible voters may vote for any eligible person.

2. The eligible persons who have received votes shall be informed without delay. They must declare whether they accept the election by no later than 12 p.m. on the Thursday following the election day. If no declaration is made, the election is considered to be declined.

3. The authority responsible for informing the affected persons of the votes received and for receiving their declarations is

a) the Chief Official for the elections to the Grand Council;

b) the municipal clerk for the elections to the General Council and Municipal Council.

4. Persons who decline the election and those who are not eligible are removed from the electoral register by the electoral office.

1. The individuals who have accepted their election are declared elected.

2. The individuals not elected are recorded in the protocol in the order of their number of votes.

3. If multiple individuals have achieved the same number of votes and none relinquishes the acceptance of the election, the decision is made by lot.

4. Responsible for the proclamation of the elected and the decision by lot is

a) the Chief Magistrate in the cantonal council elections;

b) the electoral office in the general council and municipal council elections.

5. If there are still vacant seats, a supplementary election is conducted.

1. Elections for the Council of States and the State Council, as well as the election of the Prefects, shall be conducted according to the majority voting system in accordance with the provisions of this law.

2. Municipal council elections shall be conducted according to the majority voting system, unless a request for conducting them under the proportional representation system has been submitted.

1. Candidate lists must be submitted no later than 12 p.m. on the Monday of the sixth week before the election day. However, for the Council of States elections, the deadline is on the Monday of the eighth week before the election.

2. The lists must be submitted

a) to the State Chancellery for the Council of States and State Council elections;

b) to the Chief Office for the election of the District President;

c) to the Municipal Clerk's Office for the municipal council elections.

1. For the elections to the Council of States and the Council of State, each list must be personally signed by at least 50 persons eligible to vote on cantonal matters. Article 52a remains reserved.

2. For the election of the District Prefects, each list must be personally signed by at least 50 persons registered in the electoral roll of a municipality within the respective district and eligible to vote on cantonal matters. Article 52a remains reserved.

3. For the municipal council elections, each list must be personally signed by at least the following number of eligible voters residing in the respective municipality

a) 5 in municipalities with a legal population of less than 100 persons;

b) 10 in municipalities with a legal population of 100 to 300 persons;

c) 15 in municipalities with a legal population of 301 to 600 persons;

d) 20 in municipalities with a legal population of more than 600 persons.

1. Any person exercising their right to vote may choose with either a blank or a printed list.

2. Those who use a blank list must fill it out in whole or in part by hand.

3. Those who use a printed list may manually cross out names or add the names of other individuals.

4. It is prohibited to list a person's name more than once on a list. The repetition of the name is considered as not written.

1. Any person exercising their right to vote shall have as many votes as there are individuals to be elected in the respective electoral district.

2. The names of the surplus individuals shall be struck out starting from the end of the list and, if necessary, from left to right.

1. After the closing of the polls, the polling stations count the votes.

2. They ascertain the number of votes for each candidate and submit the results to the supervising authority.

3. In the case of cantonal elections, the supervising authority subsequently transmits the results to the state chancery for compilation.

1. In the first round of voting, a candidate is elected if they achieve the absolute majority of the valid ballots, with abstentions and blank ballots not being counted.

2. If more candidates achieve the absolute majority in the first round of voting than there are seats to be filled, then the candidates with the most votes are elected according to the number of available seats.

3. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots, conducted in the presence of the affected parties by the State Chancellor, or in municipal council elections, by the Senior Government Official.

1. If there are still vacant seats after the first round of voting, a second round will be conducted, which usually takes place 21 days after the first round.

2. In the second round, those individuals not elected in the first round may participate, provided their number does not exceed twice the number of seats that are still to be filled. If this number is exceeded, candidates with the fewest votes will be eliminated.

3. If multiple individuals eligible to participate in the second round have the same number of votes, all will be admitted, even if this exceeds twice the number of seats still to be filled.

4. Only individuals whose number of votes in the first round exceeded 5% of the total number of valid voting lists may participate in the second round.

1. The individuals eligible for the second round of voting may withdraw their candidacy. They must notify by no later than Wednesday of the third week before the election at 12 PM to

a) the State Chancellery for Council of States and State Council elections;

b) the District Office for the election of the District Prefect;

c) the Municipal Administration for the Municipal Council elections.

2. The signatories of the list on which the withdrawing individual appeared may propose a replacement by no later than Friday of the third week before the election day at 12 PM. The signatories of the list submitted for the first round of voting, whose signature can no longer be obtained, may be replaced.

2bis. For individuals who were not elected in the first round and did not reach the number of votes required under Article 90, paragraph 4, no replacement proposals can be made.

3. Notifications for the rectification of replacement candidacies must be submitted by no later than Friday of the third week before the election day at 6 PM. Otherwise, the person proposed as a replacement will be eliminated.

1. In the second ballot, the individual who receives the most votes is elected (relative majority).

2. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots, which is conducted in the presence of the concerned parties by the Chancellor, or in the case of municipal council elections, by the district commissioner or the district commissioner.

1. If a seat becomes vacant during the legislative period, a by-election shall be conducted in accordance with the ordinary provisions.

2. The first round of the by-election must generally take place no later than eight weeks after the seat becomes vacant.

3. If a seat becomes vacant in the last six months before the general elections, no by-election shall take place.

4. The date of the election shall be determined by the State Council or the Municipal Council.

1. The persons elected to the Council of State are declared elected by the Council of State and sworn in by the Grand Council.

2. The Council of State declares the persons elected to the position of Chief Magistrate as elected and administers the oath to them.

3. The persons elected to the Municipal Council are declared elected by the electoral office and sworn in by the Chief Magistrate.

4. The authority responsible for the proclamation ensures that the candidates are informed.

5. The elected persons cannot assume their office before taking the oath.

1. In the first round of voting, no silent election takes place.

2. If the number of candidates on all submitted lists is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled, an election is conducted in accordance with the provisions concerning an open election.

3. The submitted lists remain valid. They are printed and distributed according to the ordinary provisions.

1. If the number of candidates in the second round of voting is equal to or less than the number of remaining seats, all candidates shall be declared elected without a ballot.

2. If there are still vacant seats, the convocation of the electorate remains in effect, but for a second round of voting, which shall take place according to the provisions governing open elections.

1. **If the number of candidates from all submitted lists in a supplementary election is equal to or less than the number of seats to be filled, the candidates are declared elected without a ballot.**

2. **If all seats are filled, the decision to convene the eligible voters of the respective district or municipality is revoked by the competent authority.**

3. **If, after the proclamation of those elected without a ballot, there are still vacant seats, the convening of the eligible voters of the respective district or municipality is maintained, and the ballot is conducted in accordance with the provisions for an open election.**

1. If no list has been submitted, eligible voters may vote for any eligible person.

1. In the first round of voting, all eligible individuals are declared elected who have achieved the absolute majority of the valid ballots, with abstentions and blank ballots not being counted.

2. The individuals who have achieved the absolute majority are immediately informed

a) by the State Chancellery for the elections to the Council of States and the State Council as well as the election of the prefect;

b) by the electoral office for municipal council elections.

3. Individuals who have achieved the absolute majority must declare whether they accept the election by no later than 12:00 p.m. on the Wednesday following the voting day. If no declaration is made, the election is considered declined.

4. The electoral office strikes the names of individuals who decline the election and those who are ineligible.

5. If more individuals have achieved the absolute majority and accept the election than the number of positions to be filled, those individuals with the fewest votes shall not be considered for the seats to be filled. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots, conducted by the following individuals

a) by the State Chancellor or the Deputy State Chancellor for the elections to the Council of States and the State Council, as well as for the election of prefects;

b) by the prefect for municipal council elections.

1. If there are still vacant seats after the first round of voting, a second round of voting shall be conducted, which is generally held 21 days after the first round.

2. Individuals who were not elected in the first round may participate in the second round, provided that their number does not exceed twice the number of seats still to be filled. Upon the authority's request, they must confirm their participation in the second round by Friday of the third week prior to the election day by 12:00 noon

a) at the State Chancellery for the Council of States and State Council elections;

b) at the District Office for the election of the District Governor;

c) at the Municipal Clerk's Office for municipal council elections.

3. If the individuals admitted to the second round withdraw, those who received fewer votes may take their place according to the number of votes obtained.

4. If the number of candidates in the second round is equal to or less than the number of remaining seats, all candidates shall be declared elected without a ballot.

5. If there are still vacant seats, the convening of eligible voters for a second round of voting shall be upheld, which shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions for open elections.

1. In the second round of voting, the candidate who receives the most votes is declared elected (relative majority).

2. In the event of a tie, the decision is made by drawing lots, which is conducted by the Federal Chancellor, or in municipal council elections, by the head official.

1. The cantonal constitution provides for the following forms to express the people's will

a) the total or partial revision of the constitution as decided by the Grand Council;

b) the total or partial revision of the constitution requested by at least 6,000 persons eligible to vote in cantonal matters (constitutional initiative);

c) the drafting, repeal, or amendment of a law requested by at least 6,000 persons eligible to vote in cantonal matters (legislative initiative);

d) a referendum requested by at least 6,000 persons eligible to vote in cantonal matters concerning a law enacted by the Grand Council (legislative referendum);

e) a referendum on a law or decree that results in new net expenditures exceeding 1% of the total expenditures of the latest state account approved by the Grand Council (mandatory financial referendum);

f) a referendum requested by at least 6,000 persons eligible to vote in cantonal matters or by a quarter of the members of the Grand Council concerning a law or decree that results in new net expenditures exceeding 1/4% of the total expenditures of the latest state account approved by the Grand Council, or that involves a study credit of regional or cantonal importance (optional financial referendum);

g) the popular motion signed by at least 300 persons eligible to vote in cantonal matters.

1. If the Grand Council decides on the total revision of the cantonal constitution, a popular vote shall be held within one year from the adoption of the decree on the initiation of the revision. In all other respects, the provisions concerning the popular initiative for the initiation of the total revision of the constitution apply mutatis mutandis.

2. If the Grand Council decides on the partial revision of the cantonal constitution, a popular vote shall be held within 180 days from the adoption of the decree through which the Grand Council submits the proposal to the people.

1. In the case of a mandatory financial referendum, the popular vote generally takes place within 180 days of the adoption of the law or decree.

2. Furthermore, the referendum procedure is governed by the provisions regarding the legislative referendum.

1. Anyone supporting an initiative or a referendum request must personally sign and fill out the signature sheet by hand.

2. Individuals unable to write may have their signature entered by a person of their choice. This individual must then add their own signature next to the signature of the person unable to write and maintain confidentiality regarding the content of the instructions received.

3. Anyone signing on behalf of a third party is liable to prosecution (Art. 282 of the Swiss Criminal Code).

1. Signatures supporting an initiative or referendum request must be placed on sheets that contain the required information about the person signing and the subject of the signature collection; otherwise, they are invalid.

2. Information about the person includes

a) The name and first name of the person signing;

b) Their date of birth (day, month, year);

c) Their exact address;

d) Their signature.

3. Information about the subject of the signature collection includes

a) The name of the municipality in which the signatories are registered to vote;

b) The wording of the initiative or referendum request;

c) The start and end dates of the signature collection period;

d) The text of Article 105 paragraphs 1 and 3;

e) In the case of an initiative, the withdrawal clause.

4. Signatures can only be collected on a sheet from eligible voters who are registered in the voting register of the municipality indicated on the sheet.

5. If these formal requirements are not met, the signatures are invalid.

6. Paragraphs 2 letter c, 3 letter a, and 4 do not apply to optional parliamentary finance referendum requests.

1. Signature sheets must be submitted to the State Chancellery before the expiration of the deadline designated for signature collection.

2. If this is not the case, the State Chancellery shall issue a decision, published in the official gazette, stating that the initiative or referendum request has not succeeded.

1. The State Chancellery forwards the signature sheets to the municipalities for verification within 20 days of the submission of the initiative or referendum request.

2. The municipalities have 20 days to verify the signature sheets and return them to the State Chancellery for counting.

3. In the verification of signatures submitted with the announcement of a referendum request, the deadlines according to paragraphs 1 and 2 are five days.

1. The person responsible for the electoral register certifies at the end of each signature sheet, or collectively for multiple sheets, that the signatories were entered in the electoral register and eligible to vote on cantonal matters on the day the municipality received the lists.

2. They identify the individuals who do not meet these conditions and exclude the surplus signatures of an eligible voter for the same issue.

3. The certification must be dated, include the number of valid signatures for the particular issue, and be signed by the person responsible for the electoral register. No fee shall be charged.

1. Within 5 days after the submission of a request for an optional parliamentary financial referendum, the State Chancellery shall forward the signature sheets to the Secretariat of the Grand Council for verification.

2. The Secretariat of the Grand Council has 5 days to review and confirm the signature sheets and return them to the State Chancellery for counting.

1. The State Chancellery establishes the number of valid signatures.

2. The following signatures are invalid and will not be considered in the tally

a) signatures on a sheet that does not comply with Article 106;

b) signatures not verified according to Article 109 or 109a;

c) signatures not submitted within the legal deadline;

d) signatures not entirely handwritten by the signatories;

e) signatures not accompanied by the required personal details of the signatory;

f) signatures accompanied by such illegible details that the signatory cannot be identified;

g) signatures of different names that are obviously from the same handwriting;

h) signatures from individuals who are not eligible to vote in cantonal matters or are not registered in the electoral register of the municipality whose name is indicated at the top of the sheet;

i) surplus signatures from the same person.

1. Signature sheets are not public. An exception is made for sheets with signatures supporting a request for an optional parliamentary financial referendum.

1. The State Chancellery publishes the result of the counting of the valid signatures and the determination regarding the success or failure of the initiative or referendum request within 90 days after the submission of the sheets in the official gazette. The validation of signatures declared invalid as a result of an appeal to the Cantonal Court is reserved (Art. 156).

2. If an initiative or a referendum request does not succeed because one or more signatures are invalid, the State Chancellery mentions this in the official gazette.

3. The State Chancellery also informs the person or persons whose signature was declared invalid and provides the legal remedies.

1. The initiative petition must be submitted to the State Chancellery with the signatures of at least 100 persons eligible to vote on cantonal matters.

2. It contains the title and text of the initiative as well as the other details that must appear on a signature sheet, in both French and German.

3. It also includes the names, first names, and addresses of the persons authorized to communicate with the authorities and to withdraw the initiative (initiative committee), in such a way that they can be identified.

1. The Withdrawal Clause stipulates that a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 15 signatories are authorized to withdraw the initiative without replacement or in favor of a counterproposal by the Grand Council.

2. The decision to withdraw the initiative must be made by a majority of the signatories authorized to withdraw the initiative.

3. The withdrawal clause must appear on every signature sheet.

1. Upon receipt of the initiative request, the State Chancellery conducts a preliminary examination of the title and text of the initiative as well as the signature sheets.

2. If necessary, the initiative is corrected in collaboration with the initiative committee. In case of disagreement, the State Council makes the decision.

1. No later than 21 days after the submission of the initiative request, the State Chancellery shall publish the following in the Official Gazette

a) the text of the initiative;

b) the start and end dates for the signature collection period.

2. The signatures must be collected within 90 days from the publication of the initiative text in the Official Gazette.

1. If the initiative has been successfully established, the Council of State shall transmit the result of the count and the text of the initiative to the Grand Council within three months from the publication of the decision regarding the establishment of the initiative in the official gazette, during the ordinary session.

2. If the three-month period intended for transmission to the Grand Council cannot be adhered to, the initiative shall be submitted to the Grand Council in the next ordinary session.

1. The Grand Council decides on the material and formal validity of the initiative.

1bis. The initiative must not contravene superior law, must be feasible, and must uphold the unity of form, subject matter, and normative level.

2. The Grand Council may extend the deadline for conducting the popular vote by one year based on a reasoned report from the Council of State.

3. The Grand Council and the Council of State may issue voting recommendations.

4. The decree by which the Grand Council decides on the validity of an initiative includes instructions on legal remedies.

1. An initiative that has been endorsed by the Grand Council cannot be withdrawn.

2. An initiative that has not been endorsed by the Grand Council can be withdrawn within 30 days after the decree, which submits the initiative to the people for a vote, has been published in the Official Collection of the Canton of Fribourg (ASF).

1. If a total revision of the constitution is requested, the referendum shall be held within one year from the date of the enactment of the decree by which the Grand Council determined the validity of the initiative.

2. The referendum concerns the following points

a) the principle of the total revision of the constitution;

b) the question of whether the revision should be carried out by a constitutional council or by the Grand Council; for this question, voters tick one of the two proposals.

3. If applicable, the Grand Council decides on the election of a constitutional council at its next ordinary session.

1. The election of the Constitutional Council shall take place within one year following the adoption of the decree by which the Grand Council determines the establishment of a Constitutional Council.

2. The Constitutional Council shall be elected in accordance with the provisions regarding the complete renewal of the Grand Council and shall have the same number of members as the Grand Council.

3. The Constitutional Council shall organize itself and shall establish its own regulations.

4. The vote on the draft developed by the Constitutional Council must take place within five years from its election.

5. If the people reject the draft of the Constitutional Council, a second draft shall be prepared, which must be submitted to the people for a vote within two years following the rejection of the first draft.

6. ...

1. If the Grand Council has been entrusted with the constitutional revision, it is granted a period of five years from the popular vote by which this task was assigned to it.

2. If the people reject the draft of the Grand Council, a new draft shall be prepared, which must be submitted to the people for a vote within three years from the rejection of the first draft.

1. The draft of the new constitution may be submitted for voting with variations on a maximum of three points.

2. Only one alternative may be proposed for each point.

3. Each variation shall be submitted for voting separately.

4. If the people adopt the variation and the draft, the variation will be incorporated into the draft.

1. The initiative may have only a single, clearly defined subject.

2. The unity of the matter is maintained if there is a substantive connection between the different points of the initiative.

1. If the Grand Council agrees with an initiative submitted in the form of a general suggestion, it shall draft a proposal within one year from the adoption of the decree on the validity of the initiative. This proposal shall be submitted to the people for a vote within 180 days from its adoption by the Grand Council.

2. If the Grand Council does not agree with an initiative submitted in the form of a general suggestion, it shall be submitted to the people for a vote within one year from the adoption of the decree on its validity.

3. If the people approve the principle of a partial revision, the Grand Council shall draft a proposal within one year. This proposal shall be submitted to the people for a vote within 180 days from its adoption by the Grand Council.

1. If the Great Council supports an initiative submitted in the form of a drafted proposal, it shall be presented to the people for a vote within one year from the approval of the decree regarding its validity.

2. If the Great Council does not support the initiative and does not draft a counter-proposal, a referendum shall be held within one year from the approval of the decree regarding the validity of the initiative.

3. If the Great Council does not support the initiative, it may draft a counter-proposal within one year from the approval of the decree regarding the validity of the initiative.

4. If a counter-proposal has been drafted, the referendum shall take place within 180 days from its approval by the Great Council.

5. If the Great Council also submits a counter-proposal, the people may unconditionally declare

a) whether they accept the people's initiative;

b) whether they accept the Great Council's counter-proposal;

c) which of the two proposals should come into effect, should both the initiative and the counter-proposal be accepted.

6. The voters must answer the first two questions with Yes or No. To answer the third question, they mark one of the two proposals.

7. If both the initiative and the counter-proposal are accepted, the result of the third question shall be decisive.

1. If the Grand Council agrees with an initiative submitted in the form of a general suggestion, it shall draft the corresponding law within two years, which shall be subject to a referendum.

2. If the Grand Council does not agree with the initiative, it shall be submitted to a public vote within one year from the adoption of the decree on its validity.

3. If the public adopts the initiative, the Grand Council shall draft the corresponding law within two years.

1. If the Grand Council agrees to an initiative submitted in the form of a detailed draft, it becomes a law subject to a referendum.

2. If the Grand Council does not agree to the initiative and does not prepare a counterproposal, a popular vote shall be held within one year of the adoption of the decree on the validity of the initiative.

3. If the Grand Council does not agree to the initiative, it may draft a counterproposal within two years of the adoption of the decree on the validity of the initiative.

4. If a counterproposal is drafted, the popular vote shall take place within 180 days of its adoption by the Grand Council.

5. If the Grand Council submits a counterproposal, the people may unconditionally declare

a) whether they accept the popular initiative;

b) whether they accept the counterproposal of the Grand Council;

c) which of the two proposals should come into force if both the initiative and the counterproposal are accepted.

6. Voters must answer the first two questions with Yes or No. To answer the third question, they mark one of the two proposals.

7. If both the initiative and the counterproposal are accepted, the result of the third question is decisive.

1. Laws, parliamentary ordinances, and decrees passed by the Grand Council shall be published in accordance with the Law on the Publication of Enactments.

1. Urgently enacted decrees declared by the Grand Council are subject to a referendum if their validity exceeds one year. However, the right to a referendum does not prevent these decrees from coming into force.

2. If a law declared urgent is approved by the people, the State Council determines that it remains effective up to the date specified in the law.

3. If a law declared urgent is rejected by the people, it remains effective until the date set by the State Council, but no longer than one year after its adoption by the Grand Council.

4. The validity period of an urgent law is at most 5 years. Such a law can only be extended by a decree subject to an ordinary referendum.

1. The referendum request must be announced within 30 days from the publication of the law or decree. The announcement is made by a written declaration submitted to the State Chancellery, signed by 50 persons eligible to vote on cantonal matters.

1bis. The announcement must also include the names, first names, and addresses of the persons authorized to communicate with the authorities (referendum committee), so that they can be identified.

2. The signatures supporting the request must be submitted to the State Chancellery within 90 days from the publication of the challenged enactment. The signatures submitted together with the announcement of the request will be considered.

3. Separately submitted signatures that oppose the same proposal will be attributed to the same request or announcement.

1. If the referendum request is successful, the State Council shall present the law or decree to the people for a vote.

2. The vote must take place within 180 days from the publication of the determination of the success of the referendum request in the official gazette.

1. The pertinent state account is the latest one approved by the Grand Council prior to the adoption of the draft law or decree by the Council of State.

1. Student loans of regional or cantonal significance within the meaning of Article 46 paragraph 1 letter b of the Cantonal Constitution are considered to be student loans whose amount exceeds 1/2 ‰ of the total expenditures of the most recent state accounts approved by the Grand Council.

1. The referendum petition by a quarter of the members of the Grand Council (Art. 99 para. 3 of the Cantonal Constitution) must be submitted to the State Chancellery within 30 days following the publication of the law or decree.

2. The Grand Council shall be informed within a reasonable time.

3. The State Chancellery shall publish the results of the count of the valid votes and the determination on the success or failure of the referendum petition in the Official Gazette.

4. The person or persons designated by the signatories, or otherwise the first five signatories of the referendum petition, shall constitute the referendum committee.

1. If the referendum request has been validly submitted, the Council of State shall present the law or decree to the people for a vote.

2. The popular vote must take place within 180 days from the publication of the confirmation of the validity of the referendum request in the official gazette.

3. Article 136h applies in all other respects.

1. The Popular Motion is a written submission that bears this title and is submitted to the Grand Council by at least 300 persons eligible to vote on cantonal matters.

2. It concerns the same subject matter as a parliamentary motion.

1. The popular motion contains a proposal and a brief justification.

2. The text must be formulated in such a way that it sufficiently clearly indicates which provisions are to be enacted, amended, or repealed.

1. The People's Motion shall be submitted on a document containing the following information

a) the title and text of the People's Motion;

b) the name, first name, and address of the person responsible for communication with the authorities;

c) the name, first name, and address of 3-5 persons who are authorized to withdraw the People's Motion (committee);

d) the information pursuant to Article 106, paragraphs 2 and 3, letter a;

e) a note that the signature must be made personally and by hand;

f) a note on the threat of penalties for signature forgery or fraudulent signing.

2. If the formal requirements of the preceding paragraph and of Article 136d are not met, the signatures are invalid.

3. The Secretariat of the Grand Council provides a sample signature sheet.

1. The signatures must be affixed in accordance with the provisions of Articles 105 and 106 paragraph 4.

1. The signed petition sheets shall be submitted all at once to the Secretariat of the Grand Council.

2. The Secretariat of the Grand Council organizes the verification of the signatures and counts them; Articles 108-110 apply mutatis mutandis.

3. The Secretariat of the Grand Council determines whether the popular motion is supported by a sufficient number of valid signatures and communicates this to the committee. If the motion does not materialize due to one or more invalid signatures, the Secretariat of the Grand Council shall also inform all affected persons; the communication includes an instruction on legal remedies (Art. 156).

1. If the committee decides to withdraw a submitted motion, it shall immediately inform the secretariat of the Grand Council. Once the session has commenced, during which the debate on the motion's acceptance is to take place, the motion can no longer be withdrawn.

1. Furthermore, the handling of a successful popular motion is regulated in the legislation concerning the Grand Council.

1. If there is no longer any impediment to the enactment of an ordinance subject to a referendum from the perspective of the exercise of popular rights, the State Chancellery shall immediately publish this information in the Official Collection.

1. The law concerning municipalities specifies which issues can be the subject of an initiative and which decisions are subject to a referendum.

2. Decisions subject to an optional referendum are to be published by the municipal council in the official gazette within 30 days, specifying the required number of signatures. The number of signatures is determined based on the number of persons eligible to vote on municipal matters on the day these decisions were made.

3. Articles 105, 106, 110 paragraph 2, and 110a concerning the signature sheets in cantonal matters apply accordingly.

**1. In municipalities with a General Council, the initiative petition signed by 20 individuals eligible to vote in the municipality shall be submitted to the municipal clerk's office.**

2. The initiative petition shall include the names of the individuals authorized to interact with the authorities and withdraw the initiative petition (initiative committee).

3. Upon receipt of the initiative petition, the municipal council shall conduct a preliminary examination of the title, text, and signature sheets of the initiative.

4. If necessary, the initiative shall be corrected in collaboration with the initiative committee. In the event of disagreement, the district administrator shall decide.

1. No later than 30 days after the submission of the petition, the Municipal Council shall publish in the Official Gazette

a) the wording of the initiative;

b) the start and end date of the signature collection period;

c) the number of signatures required according to the municipal law, which is determined based on the number of individuals registered to vote on the date of submission of the petition.

2. The signatures must be collected within 90 days from the publication of the initiative text in the Official Gazette.

1. Upon submission of the signature sheets, the municipal clerk verifies and counts the signatures within 20 days, and the municipal council publishes its decision regarding the success or failure of the initiative in the official gazette.

2. If the initiative does not succeed because one or more signatures are invalid, the municipal council records this and informs the person or persons whose signature was declared invalid; the notification includes information on legal remedies. The validation of the signatures declared invalid as a result of an appeal to the cantonal court remains reserved (Art. 156).

1. If the initiative has been successful, the municipal council shall transmit the result of the signature count and the text of the initiative to the General Council.

2. The General Council shall decide on the validity of the initiative.

3. Articles 126 and 127 shall apply mutatis mutandis. However, the deadline pursuant to Article 126 paragraph 2 and Article 127 paragraph 2 for the voting is 180 days.

4. Article 118 concerning the withdrawal of the initiative at the cantonal level shall apply mutatis mutandis. However, publication pursuant to this article shall take place in the Official Gazette.

1. The referendum request must be submitted to the municipal clerk's office within 30 days from the publication of the decision subject to the referendum in the official gazette.

2. After the submission of the signature sheets, the municipal clerk's office verifies and counts the signatures, and the municipal council publishes its decision on the success or failure of the referendum request in the official gazette. These actions must be completed within 30 days from the submission of the request.

3. If the referendum request fails because one or more signatures are invalid, the municipal council records this and informs the person or persons whose signatures were declared invalid; the notification includes information on legal remedies. The validation of signatures declared invalid as a result of an appeal to the cantonal court is reserved (Art. 156).

1. If the referendum request has been successful, the municipal council shall submit the respective decision to the public for a vote.

2. The vote shall take place within 180 days from the publication of the decision on the success of the referendum request.

3. The municipal council shall publish the voting results in the official gazette.

1. The deadlines prescribed by this law as determined by days begin on the day following their notification or the event that triggers them.

2. The end of the deadline is postponed to the next working day if it falls on any of the following days

a) a Saturday or Sunday;

b) the 1st (New Year's Day) or 2nd of January;

c) Good Friday;

d) Easter Monday;

e) the 1st of May;

f) Ascension Day;

g) Whit Monday;

h) Corpus Christi (2nd Thursday after Pentecost);

i) the 1st of August (National Day);

j) the 15th of August (Assumption Day);

k) the 1st of November (All Saints' Day);

l) the 8th of December (Immaculate Conception);

m) the 24th, 25th, or 26th of December.

3. There is no suspension of deadlines.

4. This provision does not apply to the legal remedies provided for in this law and the Administrative Procedure Act.

1. Complaints related to federal votes and elections are governed by federal law.

1. Every eligible voter and every corporate organization party or voter group that disputes an entry or omission of an entry or deletion made in the electoral register may file an objection in writing.

2 ...

3. A person whose entry or deletion is disputed by another person through objection shall be promptly informed. They shall be granted a short period to respond.

1. The objection is directed to the municipal council. The council shall promptly conduct the necessary proceedings.

2. The municipal council is only obliged to decide on the objection before the respective voting if it receives the objection five days prior.

3. If the council is not obliged to decide before the voting, the municipal council shall decide on the objection within 30 days.

4. The decision on the objection shall be promptly communicated to the parties concerned.

1. The affected individuals may challenge the decision on objection by filing a complaint with the District Governor or the District Administrator. The federal provisions regarding complaints related to the federal electoral register remain reserved.

2. Furthermore, the complaint procedure is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act.

1. Any eligible voter and any corporately organized party or voter group can challenge the composition of an election office.

2. The authority to decide is vested in

a) the senior district officer for disputes related to a municipal election office;

b) the state council for disputes related to a district election office.

3. The dispute must be filed within five days from the appointment of the election office. There is no suspension of the deadline.

4. An appeal against the decision can be lodged according to Articles 150 et seq.

5. Otherwise, the procedure is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act.

1. Municipalities may appeal a decision by the State Chancellery not to approve the counting of ballots using optical reading devices to the State Council.

2. In all other respects, the Administrative Procedure Act applies.

1. Political parties may appeal a decision by the State Chancellery not to register them in the register of parties to the State Council.

2. Otherwise, the Law on Administrative Justice applies.

1. The Cantonal Court decides on the complaints related to cantonal and municipal votes and elections.

2. ...

3. ...

1. The appeal procedure is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, subject to the following provisions.

1. Any eligible voter and any corporately organized party or voter group is entitled to file a complaint.

2. The complaint must be filed within ten days from the publication of the results in the official gazette or, in the case of municipal votes and elections, from the public posting of the results.

3. ...

1. An appeal against preparatory acts may be lodged within five days from the knowledge of the grounds for appeal, but no later than ten days after the publication or public posting of the results of the vote. There is no suspension of deadlines.

2. Preparatory acts include all procedural steps and organizational measures taken by the authorities before the vote, including the designation of a voting list (Art. 37) and its correction (Art. 56).

1. The appellate instance shall conduct the instruction of the appeal ex officio without delay and shall take the measures required by the circumstances.

1. The appellate body is not bound by the requests of the appellant nor by the grounds submitted.

2. If the appeal is upheld, the appellate body shall correct the results of the ballot or declare them invalid and order a new ballot. In disputes concerning preparatory actions, it may, if necessary, order the postponement of the ballot.

3. The decision on the appeal is communicated to the appellant, the relevant municipality, and the Council of State within ten days of its issuance.

4. The competent authority shall, if necessary, issue the orders required by the outcome of the proceedings.

1. Decisions regarding the failure of an initiative or referendum request at the cantonal or municipal level due to late submission can be appealed to the Cantonal Court within ten days of the publication of the failure in the official gazette.

1. If an initiative, a referendum request at the cantonal or municipal level, or a popular motion has not been realized because one or more signatures are invalid, the individuals concerned may file a complaint with the Cantonal Court within 10 days of the notification of the invalidity of their signature (Art. 111 para. 3, 136e para. 3, 140 para. 2, and 143 para. 3).

1. Offenses Against the People's Will are punished in accordance with Articles 279-283 of the Swiss Criminal Code.

2. Breach of Official Secrecy is punished in accordance with Article 320 of the Criminal Code.

1. A fine of up to 400 Francs, and in case of recurrence up to 1000 Francs, will be imposed on anyone who

a) as a member or substitute member of the election office, or as a vote counter, fails to comply with a summons without good cause, arrives late, or leaves their post;

b) disrupts the voting process;

c) attempts to influence others in the exercise of voting rights in the polling station or its immediate vicinity;

d) uses data from the electoral register for purposes other than those stipulated in Article 5, paragraph 4.

1. Members of the cantonal and municipal authorities, cantonal and municipal administrations, and electoral offices are required to report offenses and infractions in the area of political rights of which they become aware.

2 ...

1. Offenses are prosecuted and adjudicated in accordance with the Justice Act.

1. The State Council shall issue the necessary implementation provisions.

1. In matters of cantonal and municipal concern, the State Council may, with the consent of the affected municipalities, exceptionally and to a limited extent, deviate from the provisions of this law regarding the procedure for exercising political rights and the counting process. This is to gather experience in adapting the exercise of these rights to technical possibilities.

1. The elections, for which eligible voters were summoned prior to the entry into force of this law, shall continue to be governed by the Act of February 18, 1976.

1. The Law of February 18, 1976, on the Exercise of Civil Rights (SGF 115.1) is repealed.

1. The Act of September 25, 1980, on Municipalities (SGF 140.1) is amended as follows

...

1. The Law of September 19, 1995 on Agglomerations (SGF 140.2) is amended as follows

...

1. The Act of November 20, 1975, on Senior District Officers (SGF 122.3.1) is amended as follows

...

1. The Law on the Employment Relationship of State Personnel (SGF 122.70.1) is amended as follows

...

1. The Introductory Law of November 22, 1911, to the Swiss Civil Code for the Canton of Fribourg (SGF 210.1) is amended as follows

...

1. The State Council is entrusted with the execution of this law. It shall set the date of its entry into force.