Ballot papers printed twice for state election in Halle

The city of Halle (Saale) in Germany has reported a significant error in the printing and distribution of mail-in ballots for the upcoming state election. A total of 1,184 ballot papers were mistakenly printed and sent out twice, a mistake the city administration attributes to a technical issue with a contracted service provider.

To prevent any possibility of double voting, all the duplicated ballot papers have been invalidated and can no longer be used for mail-in voting. This incident follows a similar error in Magdeburg, the state capital, where 440 ballot papers were also sent out twice just days prior.

Despite these printing mishaps, district election official Egbert Geier assured that the integrity of the election remains guaranteed at all times. The state election authorities have been informed of the situation. The city administration stated that all affected voters will be promptly sent new, valid ballot papers.

These printing errors come at a sensitive time, as the AfD party has previously raised doubts about the fairness of mail-in voting in Saxony-Anhalt. State Election Director Christa Dieckmann has refuted speculation that mail-in voting is insecure or easily manipulable.

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The integrity of the election is guaranteed at all times.