Elections are conducted through a secret ballot. Ballot papers include the names of all candidates from which voting delegates must select their preferred candidates up to, but not exceeding, the total number of vacancies to be filled on the committee. Delegates may vote for less than the total number of vacancies, but ballot papers containing votes for more than the total number of vacancies will be considered invalid. The total number of vacancies at regular elections is as follows: CERD 9 members CESCR 9 members CCPR 9 members CEDAW 11 or 12 members CAT 5 members CRC 9 members CMW 7 members CRPD 9 members CED 5 members OPCAT 12 or 13 members Ballot papers are collected in ballot boxes by the conference officers in the room under the scrutiny of the tellers nominated by States parties. The boxes are then taken with the tellers and members of the Secretariat to a private room where they are counted under the supervision of an officer from the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). 22