The counting of votes shall commence as soon as possible after the closing of the polling session.
The sorting of ballot papers and preparations for their counting may begin before the end of the polling session. The sorting of ballot papers and preparations for vote counting shall take place behind closed doors in the location where the counting takes place. The room shall be closed and monitored by the senior electoral commission until the polling session has closed.
Any dispute between the senior electoral commission and any of the list agents as to whether a ballot paper is valid or invalid shall be settled by the senior electoral commission. In elections to the Althingi, any disputed ballot papers shall be sent to the National Electoral Commission, which shall submit them to the Althingi for a ruling on their validity, cf. Article 132. In referendums and presidential elections, any disputed ballot papers shall be sent to the National Electoral Commission, which shall make the ruling on their validity, cf. Article 120. Disputed ballot papers shall be kept separate from valid and invalid ballot papers.
After receiving the proposals of the National Electoral Commission, the Minister shall issue a regulation governing, inter alia, the conduct of counting in general elections, the handling of disputed ballot papers, the handling of voting materials and electoral registers and storage and disposal after counting, including the destruction of ballot papers and other documents.
