(1) The ballot paper is at least 21 by 29.7 cm in size (standard German A4 size) and made  of white or off-white paper. The quality of the paper must be such that, after the voter has  marked and folded the ballot paper, it is impossible for others to ascertain how the voter  has voted. As shown in Annex 26, the ballot paper contains the following information, in  the order and with the numbers as published

1. comprising the surname, first name(s), occupation or status and the town or city of  residence (main residence) of the candidate, the name of the party and any  shortened form of the party name or additional name that the party may use or the

48

identifying name in the case of non-party constituency nominations (section 20  subsection (3) of the Federal Elections Act) and, to the right of each candidate's  name, a circle for the voter's mark; where evidence has been provided as per section  38, fifth sentence, the town or city where the candidate’s contact address is located  must be indicated instead of the town or city where he or she lives (main residence).

2. of the party and any shortened form of the party name or additional name that the  party may use, the surnames and first names of the first five candidates and, to the  left of the party name, a circle for the voter's mark.

In addition, only a registered doctoral degree (section 5 subsection (2) number 3 of the Act  on Identity Cards, section 4 subsection (1), second sentence, number 3 of the Passport  Act) and a registered religious name or pseudonym (section 5 subsection (2) number 12  of the Act on Identity Cards, section 4 subsection (1) number 4 of the Passport Act) may  be indicated. Surnames must be given in full. If a candidate has several first names, the  name usually used may be specified. Each constituency candidate and each Land list are  listed in a separate box. The ballot papers must be of the same colour and quality in each  polling district. 

(2) The top right corner of the ballot paper has a punch-hole or is cropped to enable the  use of tactile voting devices. Immediately after their completion, samples of the ballot  papers are made available to the associations of the blind that have expressed their  willingness to produce tactile voting devices.

(3) The ballot paper envelopes for the postal ballot should be white in colour, non transparent and bear the information as shown in Annex 10. If other elections or votes are  held at the same time, the ballot paper envelopes of the Bundestag election may not also  be used for these elections or votes. The ballot paper envelopes of the Bundestag election  should differ in colour from the ballot paper envelopes of elections or votes held at the  same time. If it is not possible to use ballot paper envelopes of a different colour, the  envelopes of the Bundestag election must bear distinguishing marks.

(4) The official return envelopes should be light red and bear the information as shown  in Annex 11. If other elections or votes are held at the same time, the official return

49

envelopes of the Bundestag election may also be used for that purpose; section 50  subsection (2), second sentence of the Federal Elections Act applies accordingly.

(5) The character font, size and contrast chosen should facilitate legibility. 

(6) The Constituency Returning Officer allocates the ballot papers to the municipal  authorities for distribution to the Electoral Officers. The Constituency Returning Officer  supplies the municipal authorities with the official return envelopes and ballot paper  envelopes required for the postal ballot.