Evaluation of votes
1. The evaluation of votes begins immediately after the completion of the counting of ballot papers. The First Counter of the Counting Team unfolds completely every ballot paper and evaluates it aloud, while acting in this order:
a) he determines whether the ballot paper has the same size, shape and colour as the ballot paper approved by the CEC; if not, he evaluates the vote as invalid;
b) he determines whether the ballot paper carries the stamp of the VCC and the stamp of the VCC chairman; if not, he evaluates the vote as invalid;
c) he determines whether any of the other reasons for declaring the vote invalid, as described in letters (c) to (ë) of article 117 of this Code, exists; if one of these reasons exists, he evaluates the vote as invalid.
2. If none of the circumstances described in point 1 of this article applies, the First Counter of the Counting Team gives his evaluation and then proposes for the evaluation of other members for which political party or candidate for the vote has been cast. The First Counter is obliged to show the ballot papers to the members of the Counting Team, as well as to make possible the reading of the ballot paper by the recording camera in accordance with point 4 of article 94 of this Code. If the members of the Counting Team and observers of the electoral subjects at the counting agree with the First Counter’s evaluation, the ballot paper is categorised according to the evaluation and the First Counter proceeds with the next ballot paper.
If any of the members of the Counting Team or any of the observers of electoral subjects at the count, does not agree with the First Counter’s evaluation, the latter places the contested ballot paper in a special place designated for contested ballot papers and proceeds with the next ballot paper.
3. Ballot papers, in accordance with the evaluation described in point 1 of this article, are to be divided on the work table into specific and separate places in groupings of votes for each electoral subject, invalid votes and contested votes. In the case of coalitions, the valid votes for each member party of the coalition are grouped separately and near each other, thus identifying the votes for each of the member parties of the coalition.
4. At the end of counting for each ballot box, the Counting Team re-evaluates the contested ballot papers in accordance with the third paragraph of point 2 of this article. If, even after the re-evaluation, there are still contested ballot papers, the First Counter or each member calls the CEAZ for the evaluation of the contested votes of that box. The CEAZ immediately makes an evaluation of each of the contested ballot papers and takes a decision on it. The result declared by the CEAZ is noted in the record book of CEAZ and is included in the respective table of results of the VC which is prepared by the Counting Team.
5. For each contested ballot paper, the First Counter of the Counting Team notes clearly on its reverse side the reasons for contesting it. For contested votes, a special official record is kept, in accordance with a form determined by a decision of the CEC, in which the total number of contested ballot papers for the respective VC is reflected. Upon the tabulation of the result according to article 119 of this Code, the contested ballot papers and the respective official record are enclosed in the “CONTESTED BALLOTS” envelope.
6. After the counting and evaluation of the votes according to this article, for each box with ballot papers, the First Counter counts the votes for each electoral subject, starting according to the order of the subjects on the ballot paper. After each count, he makes the figure known to the Counting Team members and to observers of electoral subjects. If any of the members of the Counting Team requests it, the First Counter is required to restart once again the vote count for that electoral subject. If there are still objections after this second count, the First Counter of the Counting Team or the objecting member informs the CEAZ by raising his hand. Raising one’s hand suspends any further action of the Counting Team until a decision has been made by the CEAZ. The CEAZ counts on the spot the contested votes for the electoral subject and orders the Counting Team to record the figure decided by it in the table of results for that Voting Centre.
