(1) The Electoral Officer opens the poll by advising the assessors present of their  obligation to perform the duties of their posts impartially and to keep confidential any  information they have received in the course of their official duties. The Electoral Officer  ensures that all assessors have been advised of the above before they take up their duties.

(2) Before voting commences, the Electoral Officer amends the electoral register on the  basis of the list of any polling cards that were issued after closure of the register (section  28 subsection (6), fifth sentence) by recording, for the eligible voters on this list, the word  "Wahlschein" (polling card) or the letter "W" in the column for voting-related marks. The  Electoral Officer amends the certificate of closure of the electoral register accordingly in  the adjacent column provided for that purpose, adding written confirmation in the relevant  space. If the Electoral Officer is subsequently notified of the issue of polling cards on the  basis of section 27 subsection (4), third sentence, he or she proceeds according to the  first and second sentences.

(3) Before voting commences, the Electoral Board verifies that the ballot box is empty.  The Electoral Officer locks the ballot box. It must not be opened again until the poll is closed.