The Swiss parliament
What does Parliament do? When do its members meet, how do they reach decisions and how much do they earn?
Who can take part in the elections?
Our new video explains all.
Election glossary
The main terms and expressions to explain the parliamentary elections.
How the elections are organised
There are many public bodies involved in making sure that the voting process runs smoothly both during and after the federal elections.
Election archive
Information on former elections to the Swiss parliament.
Rules and regulations
Laws, rules and procedures relating to the National Council elections.
Number of seats per canton
How many seats does my canton have in the National Council and in Council of States?
Term of office
When do the freshly elected members of the National Council take up their seats in Parliament? How do they swear the oath or make a solemn promise?
Incompatibility with a parliamentary mandate
What roles are incompatible with a parliamentary mandate?
Women and elections
When did women obtain the right to take part in elections?
Political parties
Everything you need to know about political parties in Switzerland.
The election in figures
Detailed figures can be found on the website of the Federal Statistical Office.
Counting ballot papers in National Council elections in cantons with more than one seat
Can Swiss citizens living abroad participate in parliamentary elections?
Electoral campaign
What rules are there about campaigning for election? Where and how can candidates campaign?
Last modification: november 2019