1. Before the start of the counting of ballots, in accordance with Section 6, the CEAZ orders the making of the ECS accuracy verification. For this purpose, for each counting device, after the counting of the first two boxes is completed, in accordance with the ECS counting procedures, these boxes are subject to manual recounting. The rules and procedures to be followed for the verification of the ECS accuracy are specified in the normative act issued by the CEC in accordance with point 2 of Section 1 of this Annex.

2. Recounting is carried out by the ECS staff, under the supervision of the CEAZ, only for the ballots “evaluated by the ECS”.

3. If the result of the manual recounting is the same as the one issued by the ECS, or if the difference between the two counts is smaller than 0.5 per cent, then the counting continues normally, in accordance with Section 6 of this Annex.

4. In the event that the discrepancy between the result generated by the ECS and the result of the manual counting is more than 0.5 per cent, the CEAZ orders the suspension of the counting for that device. The finding is noted in the Meeting Records Book and the CEAZ immediately notifies the CEC.

5. In the event that the same discrepancy is found for all the ECS devices in that CEAZ, the counting is suspended until the CEC takes a decision. The decision of the CEC is taken no later than two hours from receiving notification from the CEAZ.

6. Upon receiving the notification and verifying the problem, the CEC orders the manual counting of ballots, specifying the time of start and the arrangement of the hall for manual counting, in accordance with the procedures and criteria for manual counting as envisaged in this Code and in the secondary legislation.