Swiss reject quick exit from atomic power

People cast their ballots in a ballot office to vote on the nuclear exit, in a school in Bern, Switzerland November 27, 2016. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss voted in a referendum on Sunday to reject a speedy exit from the nation's five nuclear power plants, as concerns over losing energy independence outweighed safety worries raised by the measure's proponents.

Nearly 55 percent of voters turned down the initiative, with 45 percent favouring it in a vote that was part of the Swiss system of direct democracy giving citizens a final say on important issues.