Liechtenstein voted Sunday against legalising abortion, in line with the wishes of the principality's hereditary ruler Alois von und zu Liechtenstein.

With 52.3 percent of votes against and 47.7 percent in favour, the principality rejected the proposal titled Help rather than Punishment.

The referendum marks the second controversial popular initiative this year put forward in the tiny Catholic principality of 18,800 electors, after another vote in June which led to the recognition of civil partnerships for homosexuals.

Proponents of the referendum had sought to legalise abortion within 12 weeks of conception.

Termination of pregnancy carries a penalty of up to a year in prison even if it is carried out abroad.

Prince Alois already signalled his opposition ahead of the vote, saying that he would not sign the text into law. Liechtenstein's government and parliament are also opposed to it.

The prince said he was opposed to such legislation because it could be misused to prevent the births of handicapped children.

His grandfather, prince Franz-Josef II, set a precedent in 1961 when he refused to approve a referendum result reforming the right to hunt in Liechtenstein.

Proponents of the text point out that Liechtenstein's neighbours, Switzerland and Austria, both authorise abortion.

They also claim that 50 women break the law every year in their country, or head to Swiss cities such as Chur or St Gallen to carry out abortions.

The United Nations has repeatedly asked Liechtenstein to stop criminalising abortion.