Federal elections were held in Switzerland on 31 October 1869. The Radical Left remained the largest group in the National Council.Elections to the National Council 1848–1917: Distribution of seats by party or political orientation BFS
Electoral system The 128 members of the National Council were elected in 47 single- and multi-member constituencies; there was one seat for every 20,000 citizens, with seats allocated to cantons in proportion to their population.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1886 The elections were held using a three-round system; candidates had to receive a majority in the first or second round to be elected; if it went to a third round, only a plurality was required. Voters could cast as many votes as there were seats in their constituency. In six cantons (Appenzell Innerrhoden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Glarus, Nidwalden, Obwalden and Uri), National Council members were elected by the Landsgemeinde.
Results
National Council Voter turnout was highest in Aargau at 85.6% (higher than the 79.1% who voted in Schaffhausen, where voting was compulsory) and lowest in Schwyz and Zug at 22.1%.
By constituency ConstituencySeatsPartySeats wonElected membersZürich 14Liberal Centre4Zürich 23Democratic Left2Liberal Centre1Johann Heinrich FierzZürich 33Democratic Left3Zürich 43Democratic Left3Bern 54Radical Left4Bern 64Evangelical Right3Radical Left1Rudolf BrunnerBern 74Radical Left4Bern 84Radical Left3Liberal Centre1Daniel FlückigerBern 93Radical Left3Bern 104Radical Left4Lucerne 112Liberal Centre1Josef Martin KnüselRadical Left1Josef BucherLucerne 122Catholic Right2Lucerne 133Catholic Right3Uri 141Catholic Right1Josef ArnoldSchwyz 152Liberal Centre1Josef Anton EberleCatholic Right1Karl StygerObwalden 161Catholic Right1Simon EttlinNidwalden 171Catholic Right1Alois WyrschGlarus 182Liberal Centre1Joachim HeerRadical Left1Peter Jenny IIZug 191Radical Left1Karl Josef MerzFribourg 203Catholic Right3Fribourg 212Catholic Right2Solothurn 223Radical Left2Catholic Right1Franz BünzliBasel-Stadt 232Liberal Centre1Johann Jakob StehlinRadical Left1Wilhelm KleinBasel-Landschaft 243Radical Left2Liberal Centre1Martin BiderSchaffhausen 252Democratic Left1Wilhelm JoosLiberal Centre1Friedrich Peyer im HofAppenzell Ausserrhoden 262Liberal Centre1Adolf Friedrich ZürcherRadical Left1Johannes HohlAppenzell Innerhoden 271Catholic Right1Alois BrogerSt. Gallen 283Liberal Centre2Catholic Right1Johannes ZündtSt. Gallen 293Radical Left2Liberal Centre1Johann Ulrich AmbühlSt. Gallen 303Liberal Centre2Radical Left1Johann M. HungerbühlerGrisons 312Liberal Centre1Simeon BavierRadical Left1Gaudenz GadmerGrisons 322Catholic Right1Johann R. von ToggenburgRadical Left1Johann Bartholome CaflischGrisons 331Radical Left1Johann Albert RomediAargau 343Liberal Centre2Radical Left1Arnold KünzliAargau 354Liberal Centre3Democratic Left1Rudolf UrechAargau 363Catholic Right2Liberal Centre1Fridolin SchneiderThurgau 375Democratic Left4Liberal Centre1Johann MessmerTicino 383Radical Left3Ticino 393Catholic Right1Michele PedrazziniRadical Left1Giovanni JauchLiberal Centre1Luigi RuscaVaud 404Radical Left2Liberal Centre2Vaud 414Radical Left3Liberal Centre1Jean-Louis DemiévilleVaud 423Radical Left3Valais 432Catholic Right2Valais 441Catholic Right1Maurice EvéquozValais 452Radical Left2Neuchâtel 464Radical Left3Radical Left dissidents1Louis Constant LambeletGeneva 474Radical Left3Liberal Centre1François-Jules PictetSource: Gruner
Council of States
References