Election day 8 April 2018 - National Election Office
- Is there a „campaign silence” in force on election day?
Although there is no campaign silence, certain limitations are enacted nevertheless:
- it is not permitted to hold election rallies,
- it is forbidden within a 150 perimeter of polling stations (in public space) to conduct campaign activity,
- no public announcements for requesting mobile ballot boxes, transport to polling stations may be posted and no specifically bus transport to polling stations is allowed,
- no political advertisements are allowed on radio and tv on election day.
- What are the requirements for conducting exit polls on election day?
- Persons conducting exit polls may not enter the site of polling stations on election day, cannot disturb voters in any way and may only ask voters leaving the building.
- The result of such polls may only be published after the closing of voting.
- Under what conditions am I allowed to vote on election day?
- Only those may cast their ballots who are enrolled in the local register.
- Voters have to provide proof of their identity (valid identity card, passport or driving license), and address (residence card) or personal identification number.
- Afterwards voters receive the stamped ballot paper(s), and prove it with their signature.
- Is it possible to vote with expired documents?
- Voters with expired ID documents must be turned down by the polling station commission.
- Voting with expired documents is also not possible even if some or all members of the polling station commission know the properly enrolled voter personally.
- Therefore it is of utmost importance, that voters check the status of their documents timely and take action to obtain valid ones prior election day.
- What is the timeframe of polling on election day?
Votes may be cast on 8 April from 6.00 am to 19.00 pm.
- What happens if I’m still standing in a queue after 19.00 waiting to vote?
- Voters already standing in line at 19.00 can cast their ballots.
- After 19.00 no additional voters may join the queue.
- How do I cast my vote?
- Valid votes may only be cast on candidates and nominating organizations on the ballot.
- Only one candidate or list can be voted for, multiple choices render the ballot invalid.
- Valid vote must be done with pen via two intersecting lines (cross, x or +) into the circle near or above the candidate/lists name.
- The ballot should be folded into an envelope and the envelope cast into the ballot box. (Using an envelope is not obligatory in domestic polling stations except absentee voters).
- Do I get a new ballot paper if I spoil mine?
- If a voter announces a spoiled ballot without having cast it into the box, the polling station commission revokes that ballot, puts it aside in a special envelope and issues a new one for the voter.
- A voter may request a new ballot only once.
- Is a ballot valid if it lacks an affixed stamp?
No, ballots without the official stamp used on site are not valid.
- Is the ballot valid without an envelope?
Yes. Using envelopes in domestic polling stations except cases of absentee voting is not compulsory.