The vote on conscription(compulsory military service) was the third in Switzerland on the matter in almost quarter of a century
Pacifists and left-wing parties campaigned for abolition. They did not expect to win, but rather muster more than a 30% share of the vote
Centre and right-wing parties argue the measures are needed to maintain Switzerland's army in a time of security challenges. They argue it helps to bring together a country with three main language groups: German, French and Italian.
"Abolishing military service would break the genuine link uniting the people and the army," Defence Minister Ueli Maurer said
Voting trends indicated a large majority of Swiss rejected plans to abolish conscription.
Voters in all 26 cantons (states) rejected the military service referendum Sunday — by a margin of 73 percent opposed to 27 percent in favor — that pacifists and left-wing parties had put forward to do away with a conscription army, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported.
Note
Male Swiss citizens aged between 18 and 34 military service is obligatory for all men, who after their initial training lasting roughly five months, are asked to serve several weeks each year with the militia army until the age of 34 in most parts of the country, but in some cases up to 50.
Women can serve voluntarily
Conscientious objectors have the option of undertaking non-military service, for example in environmental projects. Men who do not serve pay a special tax of 4% of their salary.
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