At stake in this Referendum:

• A federal decision on a constitutional article on research on human. A federal decree providing better legal protection for animals. A federal law adjusting the minimum conversion rate for the Occupational Retirement, Hinterlassenenund Disability Pension Plans (BVG)

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: President Doris LEUTHARD *
• Head of Government: President Hans-Rudolf MERZ
• Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung/Assemblée Fédérale/Assemblea Federale) consisting of the Council of States (Standerat/Conseil des Etats/ Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats* and the National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil National/Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats**.

* The Federal Presidency rotates among members of the Federal Council, which is the formal chief of state.

* Single-member districts correspond to half-cantons. The electoral system is first-past-the-post. Two-seat districts correspond to full cantons. The electoral system is MNTV.

** Seats are apportioned to each canton or half-canton in proportion to its population. Voters have the option of panachage. In single-member districts, this is effectively a first-past-the-post system.

Electoral Requirements

• An absolute majority of voters must vote "yes" in order for passage.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 7,824,909 (2010)
• Registered Voters: 5,030,915 (November 2009)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 3,972,384 (2010)

·         Is Switzerland a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (23 January 1987)

·         Has Switzerland ratified CEDAW: Yes (27 March 1997)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 59 (National Council); 10 (Council of States) following the 2007 elections

·         Human Development Index Position: 3 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is Switzerland a signatory to CRPD: No

·         Has Switzerland ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (15 April 2014)

·         Population with a disability: 1,173,736 (est.)