Steffan Millius grips his sword and makes his way through the throngs of people crowding into Appenzell’s central square to take part in Switzerland’s famous direct democracy in perhaps its purest form.

Every year, voters from across the northeastern demi-canton, or region, of Appenzell Innerhoden flood into the Landsgemeindeplatz to elect their local leaders and judges — not by casting ballots but by raising their hands.

“I love it!” Millius shouts above the cheers of onlookers as a marching band and procession of politicians in traditional ceremonial garb make their way towards the roped-in area in the central square — known as “the ring” — where the voting will take place.

“I think it’s the best way to live democracy, because it’s really direct,” he says, straightening his sword, which he, like most of the other men, carries instead of a voting card.

The tradition of the Landsgemeinde, or open-air assembly, dates back to the 14th century, and in Appenzell is held every year on the last Sunday in April.
   
Historians say that back then, only men willing to go to battle to defend their community were allowed to vote — a right they for centuries have demonstrated by carrying a side-arm into the voting ring.
   
“This is the only place in the world, I think, where a weapon serves as voter ID,” says Rudolf Keller, the second secretary in the Appenzell cantonal government, showing off his own sword, which has his name engraved in the glistening steel.
   
Only Appenzell Innerhoden and another canton, Glarus, vote this way.

The women, meanwhile, carry their yellow voting cards with as much pride as the men carry their swords.

Appenzell Innerhoden, one os Switzerland’s most conservative cantons, only allowed women to vote in 1991, a full 20 years after women were permitted to vote in Swiss federal elections.

READ ALSO: 13 key milestones in the history of women’s rights in Switzerland

And women might still be standing on the outside if Bern had not found the situation so embarrassing that it made the almost unheard of move of ordering Appenzell men to let their mothers, wives and daughters into the ring.
   
Vreni Inauen, a tourist guide who herself could not vote when she first became an Appenzell citizen 36 years ago, says times have changed a lot since then.
   
“Some old men may still not be really happy that women were allowed in, but the younger generations are happy to have the women there,” she says, noting that even before 1991, women made their views known.

“Many women went to watch the Landsgemeinde and made sure their husbands voted according to their opinions,” she laughs.
   
Now, as then, curious onlookers crowd every window in the colourful wood-painted buildings that surround the Landsgemeindeplatz, and restaurant terraces are overflowing with tourists to see democracy in action.

‘Direct democracy in its loveliest form’ 

Voting in Appenzell requires a large dose of patience.

Nearly 4,000 people crowded into the ring remain standing — only the elderly and handicapped are provided with seats — for more than three hours.

After that, the votes are counted.

“This is direct democracy in its loveliest form,” says Claude Chappuis, who has come from his home in the French-speaking Swiss town of Nyon near Geneva, to see “true democracy” in action.
   
“It takes a lot of courage to raise your hand and say your opinion in front of everybody,” he says.

But some others are worried by the lack of secrecy.
   
“It’s a little dangerous to rhapsodize too much about the democratic nature of the Landsgemeinde,” says Clive Church, a British historian and Switzerland expert, pointing out that “if you take an unpopular stand, you are exposed and can possibly be pressured”.
   
A version of this piece was originally published on The Local Switzerland in 2013.