Administration of the elections, prescribed responsibilities of the returning officer

(1) Irrespective of the regulations set out in § 60, the administration of the elections is the duty of the municipal elections authorities and, in municipalities divided into wards, of the ward elections authorities.

(2) The returning officer is responsible for the maintenance of law and order during the election procedure, as well as for compliance with the provisions of this federal law. He/she is to take care that there is no infringement of the competence of the elections authorities.

(3) The instructions given by the returning officer have to be followed by everybody. Non - compliance with these instructions is an offence and is punishable by the district administrative authority by a fine of up to 218 euros and, in default of payment, by a prison sentence of up to two weeks.