Invalid ballot papers

(1) Shall be declared invalid the ballot papers:

a) in which the identification number of the district and the identification number of the polling stations do not correspond to those of the concerned district or polling station;

b) of other model than the established one;

c) in which the stamp marked “Voted” has been applied in several quadrangles;

d) in which the stamp marked “Voted”, has not been applied in any circle of any quadrangle;

e) on which the stamp marked “Voted” has been applied for an electoral competitor who has withdrawn or has been excluded from the electoral race;

f) that have been deformed or smeared, making the voter’s option unclear.

(2) As long as the intention of the voter is clear, the ballot may not be declared as invalid simply because the voter affixed the stamp marked “Voted” several times in a single quadrangle, or affixed the stamp outside the quadrangle’s circle or on the candidate’s electoral symbol or sign.

(3) Prior to declaring a ballot paper as invalid, the chairperson of the Precinct Electoral Bureau shall provide all the members of the bureau and persons authorised to observe the elections procedures with the possibility to examine it.

(4) If the Precinct Electoral Bureau members have doubts about the validity of a ballot paper, the issue shall be addressed by vote, and the voting results shall be entered in the Minutes of the bureau meeting.