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Article 65
 

Commencement of and procedure for voting


1. On the Election Day, at 8:00, the chairperson of the PEC shall announce the commencement of voting and authorise the entry of voters into the polling room.


2. The chairperson of the commission shall organise and supervise the holding of the voting, support members exercising functions, when necessary, substitute them and the specialist in case of their temporary absence. Upon the assignment of the chairperson of the commission, the secretary of the commission shall make entries in the registration book, support the members exercising functions, substitute them and the specialist in case of their temporary absence. Upon the assignment of the chairperson of the commission, the commission member not exercising any function at that moment shall substitute the specialist in case of temporary absence thereof.


3. It shall be prohibited to enter a polling station with arms and ammunition.


4. Military servants, officers serving in national security and police troops shall not enter the polling station in a marching order and with arms and ammunition. In cases where the smooth voting process is under threat, only police officers, with the permission of the chairperson of the PEC, may enter the polling station with arms.


5. Where the number of voters present in the polling room is such that it obviously hinders the smooth voting process, the chairperson of the election commission shall have the right to limit the total number of voters present in the polling room at the same time — but no less than 15 voters —admitting voters to the polling room in turns, one by one. In case of impossibility to ensure implementation of this part by the election commission, it shall be ensured with the support of the police, upon request of the chairperson of the election commission.


6. One journalist and one photographer or one videotape operator representing every mass media shall have the right to be present in the polling room at the same time. Up to 2 observers from every international organisation accompanied by an interpreter may be present at the sessions of the election commission and, during the voting, also in the polling station (in the polling room), whereas in case of local observers — 1 observer from every organisation.


7. Where the number of observers, mass media representatives present in the polling room is such that it obviously hinders the smooth voting process, the PEC shall be entitled to prescribe the maximum number of observers and mass media representatives having the right to be present in the polling room at the same time, upon a decision adopted by at least 2/3 of the votes of the total number of members of the commission. The decision must be in line with the principle of proportionality, but in any case the number prescribed by that decision may not be less than 15.
This limitation shall not extend to visitors, international observers and representatives of television and radio companies carrying out terrestrial on-air broadcasting. In case of impossibility to ensure the execution of this part by the election commission, it shall be carried out with the support of the police, upon request of the chairperson of the election commission.


8. The CEC shall be obliged to create additional opportunities for the purpose of providing voters, facing difficulties with participation in the voting process, with access to voting, ensuring the opportunity for the free expression of will of the voter and secrecy of voting.