(1) When all the valid ballot envelopes are opened, the polling station commission shall decide on the validity of those ballot papers which were in the ballot envelopes with several ballot papers, torn ballot papers and ballot papers of another district.

(2) If a ballot envelope contains several absolutely identical ballot papers, one of them shall be deemed to be valid and added to the valid ballot papers for counting, but others shall be deemed to be invalid.

(3) Envelopes containing torn ballot papers as well as empty ballot envelopes shall be deemed to be ballot envelopes without valid ballot papers.

(4) If a ballot envelope contains more than one ballot paper and these ballot papers are not identical as concerns their content (also as concerns the marks made), it shall be deemed to be an envelope without a valid ballot paper.

(5) The polling station commission shall resolve the differences of opinion regarding the validity of ballot papers by majority vote. In the event of a tied vote, the chairperson of the commission shall cast the deciding vote.

(6) Valid ballot papers, in accordance with the procedures specified by the Central Election Commission, shall be grouped according to the names of the lists of candidates. Afterwards the votes cast for each list of candidates shall be counted.

(7) The number of votes cast for each list of candidates shall be entered in the vote counting report. Information on the number of votes cast for each list of candidates shall be provided in accordance with the procedures specified by the Central Election Commission.

[11 November 2004]