Solothurn forced to change vote result after recount

Canton Solothurn has had to correct its vote from the weekend. Initially it had registered that the people had approved the increase in the retirement age for women – but after a recount, it had actually rejected the policy.

It was all down to confusion in the commune of Balsthal. Authorities say the ballots had been mixed up.

A recount was called for after many people complained to the mayor that they didn’t believe the numbers.

As the vote was so close, the small number involved switched the result. The number of supporters fell by just 464. But it was enough to change the whole canton – 46,300 voted against the retirement age change, while 45,959 said yes. 

But it’s not sufficient to change the national outcome. 

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