(1) The ballot of a voter at a Dáil election shall consist of a paper (in this Act referred to as a "ballot paper") in the form specified in the Fourth Schedule subject to any modifications which may be provided for in regulations under paragraph (cc) of subsection (2).

(2) Ballot papers shall be prepared in accordance with the following directions—

(a) a ballot paper shall contain the names and descriptions of the candidates standing nominated at the election, as shown in their respective nomination papers. The names shall be arranged alphabetically in the order of the surnames or, if there are 2 or more candidates bearing the same surname, in the alphabetical order of their other names or, if their surnames and other names are the same, in such order as shall be determined by lot by the returning officer,
(b) the surname of each candidate and the name of his political party if any, or, if appropriate, the expression "Non-Party" shall be printed in large capitals, his name shall be printed in small capitals and his address and occupation, if any, as appearing in his nomination paper shall be printed in ordinary characters,
(c) the list of candidates shall be arranged either in one continuous column or in 2 or more columns in such manner (without departing from the alphabetical order) as, in the opinion of the returning officer, is best for marking and counting, but subject to the restriction that the spaces on the ballot paper within which the candidates' names and descriptions appear shall be the same for each of the candidates,
(cc) a ballot paper may include a photograph of each candidate and the emblem of the candidate’s political party registered in the Register of Political Parties in accordance with the requirements prescribed in regulations which may be made by the Minister (and such regulations may provide for the modification of the form of the ballot paper for that purpose and the purposes of Part 3 of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001),
(d) the ballot papers shall be numbered consecutively on the back and the back of the counterfoil attached to each ballot paper shall bear the same number. The numbers on the ballot papers shall be printed in the smallest characters compatible with legibility and shall be printed on or about the centre of the paper,
(e) the top right hand column on the ballot paper shall bear such markings as to ensure that nothing may be written therein,
(f) apart from anything permitted by the form specified in the Fourth Schedule, and the modifications which may be provided for in regulations under paragraph (cc) nothing shall appear on the ballot paper except in accordance with these directions.

(3) A notice containing a copy of the ballot paper in large print shall be displayed by the presiding officer in the polling station.