Just allow switching to the low population side any time, no charge. Keep 12 hour rule for switching to either of the other two teams.
I think this would be fine if we tweak it a little bit.
Instead of low pop side switch at
any time, let's make it. You can switch there without using your '12 hour rule'. But must stay there.. 2-3 hours before switching again (and switching again would use your 12 hour timer, so your stuck there until your 2-3 hour timer is done). Because of what HiTech said.
It is a simple fact that our stats show less of country imbalances with 12 hour vs 1 hour time limits with 1 hour the countries seem to always be out of balance. And the swings are constantly moving to different countries. With 12 hours the % of the swings are a lot less and the frequency of swings are less frequent.
HiTech