The explanation of this term is still based on the Federal Elections Act valid for the 2021 Bundestag election. This page will be updated shortly in view of the most recent amendment to the Federal Elections Act.

Announcement of final election results

As soon as the ascertainment process has been completed, the final election result is publicly announced.

Bundestag elections

In Bundestag elections this is done by

the constituency returning officer, who publicly announces the final election result for the constituency,
the Land returning officer, who publicly announces the final election result for the Land, broken down by constituencies, and the names of the candidates elected in the Land,
the Federal Returning Officer, who publicly announces the final election result for the electoral territory, broken down by Länder, and the names of the candidates elected in the electoral territory.

Legal bases

Sections 41, 42 of the Federal Elections Act (BWG)
Sections 76 to 79 of the Federal Electoral Regulations (BWO)

European Parliament elections

In European elections this is done by

the Land returning officer, who publicly announces the final election result for the Land, stating the number of persons entitled to vote, the number of voters, the number of valid and invalid votes, and the number of valid votes cast for each nomination,
the Federal Returning Officer, who publicly announces the final election result for the electoral territory, stating among others the number of persons entitled to vote, the number of voters, the number of valid and invalid votes, the number of valid votes cast for the nominations of each party entitled to make a nomination, and the names of the candidates elected in the electoral territory.

Legal bases

Section 72 of the European Electoral Regulations (EuWO)

Last update: 20 October 2023