On Sunday, voters in Switzerland, one of the few Western European countries that still prohibits gay marriage, will decide whether to allow same-sex couples to marry and adopt children in a referendum.
The modified law has already been adopted by the federal government and parliament, but opponents led by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) have demanded a referendum on the subject under Switzerland’s direct democracy system.
According to the most recent poll, proponents of same-sex marriage were in the lead, with 63 percent of respondents in favor, but the anti-same-sex marriage campaign has gained traction in recent weeks.
The first results from the voting are expected around 1030 GMT, with the final outcome likely later that day.
Same-sex couples will be able to marry and adopt children who are not related to them under the new law.
Married lesbian couples would be able to conceive children via sperm donation, which is currently only available to married heterosexual couples.
