Facts
The eligible voter Elsbeth Karlsson-Altherr filed a complaint against the result of the popular vote of 24 September 2006 on the new parking regulations of the municipality of Altstätten. She alleged a violation of the freedom of voting under Art. 34 para. 2 Cst. by the voting explanations of the City Council and its interventions in the voting campaign. The Federal Court dismissed the complaint. The voting explanations proved to be factual and balanced. They gave the eligible voters a comprehensive picture of the proposal and allowed them to form an unbiased opinion. The press release of the City Council and the newspaper article of the Mayor shortly before the vote were also not objectionable. They contributed to the open formation of opinion in an objective, transparent and proportionate manner, without violating the freedom of voting.Considerations
The Federal Court stated that the freedom of voting under Art. 34 para. 2 Cst. generally provides for a prohibition of intervention by authorities in the voting campaign. However, in exceptional…