A recent investigation has uncovered widespread forgery in signature collections for Swiss initiatives, raising concerns about the integrity of the country's direct democracy.

The scandal involves paid collectors allegedly falsifying thousands of signatures, with some names repeatedly appearing on petition sheets.

This revelation has sparked debates on whether to ban paid signature collection or to digitize the process, both of which pose risks to democratic balance.

The Swiss public broadcaster SRF temporarily removed a report on the issue due to privacy concerns, but it has since been restored with personal data obscured.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities in the democratic process and the need for careful consideration of reforms.