Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has ruled that the 2021 federal parliamentary election must be partially repeated due to counting errors in several Berlin constituencies. The court's decision, announced on Tuesday, stated that the errors had compromised the integrity of the vote count in 455 electoral districts.

The election, which took place on September 26, 2021, encompassed the state election, the city's 12 district assemblies, the German national election, and a local referendum. However, the court found that multiple mistakes had occurred during the vote count process in various Berlin constituencies, leading to the need for a partial rerun.

Judge Doris Köng, presiding over the case, emphasized that the rerun would be limited to the 455 electoral districts and corresponding postal voting districts affected by the counting errors. This decision signals the court's commitment to rectifying the irregularities and ensuring the accuracy and fairness of the electoral process in Berlin.

The election in the German capital was marred by long queues and a shortage of paper ballots. Compounding the problems, a loophole allowed ineligible minors to vote in state and federal elections by using a mail-in ballot ordered by someone over 18. Additionally, the practice of placing mail-in ballots for different elections into a single envelope resulted in further confusion.

Efforts were made by Berlin authorities to address these issues prior to polling day. However, despite warnings and changes to procedures to prevent fraud during counting, another loophole allowing German nationals living abroad to vote in local elections using the same method remained open.

The logistical challenges posed by the Berlin Marathon occurring on the same day further complicated the situation. Some constituencies faced difficulties in delivering replacement ballots promptly, given the disruptions caused by the marathon.

The Constitutional Court's ruling not only necessitates a partial rerun of the 2021 parliamentary election in Berlin but also triggers the annulment of the state and municipal elections. The state election had already been repeated in early 2023, with the conservative CDU emerging as the leading party, displacing the previous center-left mayor from the Social Democratic Party (SPD).

While the ruling has generated concerns for several parties, the Left Party expressed relief as it was determined that the rerun would not impact the seats it holds in Berlin. This outcome spares the party from falling below the 5% threshold required to secure representation in the national parliament.

The Federal Constitutional Court's decision aims to rectify the counting errors and restore confidence in the electoral process in Berlin. Efforts are expected to be made to ensure smooth and accurate voting procedures in the affected electoral districts during the partial rerun.

Title: Germany's Federal Constitutional Court Orders Partial Rerun of 2021 Parliamentary Election in Berlin