There were irregularities in two constituencies that could have an impact on the mandates to be issued, Petra Michaelis told the Berlin election committee. The objection will be filed before the Berlin constitutional court.

The legal action could lead to a rerun of the elections in the two constituencies, where the results were particularly close.

“In these cases, irregularities could have an effect relevant to the mandates,” Michaelis said. She pointed to incorrect ballot papers being handed to voters and to temporary closures of polling stations for lack of ballot papers as examples.

A string of mishaps, including missing ballot papers and polling officials unable to get into polling stations led to lengthy queues and an extension of closing times at several polling stations.

According to Michaelis, irregularities were recorded at 207 of the 2,257 polling stations. “That is a number that should shock and anger us,” she said, while adding that the election had proceeded smoothly for the most part.

Berlin held multiple elections on September 26, when the whole country went to the polls to elect a new federal parliament.

Berliners voted not only for a new national parliament, but also for the parliament of the city-state of Berlin itself. Separate municipal elections were also held, as was an advisory referendum on taking housing owned by large corporations into public ownership.