Swiss mayor votes twice for himself
A mayor in the Geneva area has been caught voting for himself twice during local elections, casting ballots for his absent daughter before slipping his own vote in the box.
Thierry Durand, mayor of Plan-les-Ouates, was elected last April. The mayor, who had a reputation for political expertise and his efforts to increase transparency, he was caught filling out, signing and sending the ballot for his daughter, who was in the United States, said a report on the local edition of the 20 Minuten daily.
He also then voted for himself at the booth, the paper said.
The mayor was quoted as admitting that he did forge his daughter’s signature, but added that everything was done “in total transparency between us via Skype.”
Durand said he regretted his move, but said he had broken the law to please his daughter and had a “clear conscience.”
The mayor is currently under investigation, the paper reported, and police will decide whether to refer the case to prosecutors. Durand risks up to three years in jail if convicted of electoral fraud.
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