Shareholders not attending the AM in person have the option of voting by proxy, for example, the voting proxies appointed by the Company, a bank, a shareholders’ association or a third party. Timely notification of the intention to attend the AM is required also in this case, either by the shareholder or a proxy.
If a bank or shareholders' association is appointed as proxy, the proxy authorization and, where applicable, voting instructions must be sent directly to the bank or shareholders’ association. Before transferring any voting rights, shareholders should make sure that the bank / or shareholders’ association is prepared to exercise the voting rights on the shareholder's behalf.
If neither a bank nor a shareholders’ association nor another equivalent person or institution as defined by Section 135, Subsections 8 and 10 of the German Stock Corporation Act (Aktiengesetz), but another third party is authorized as a proxy, the proxy authorization and, if applicable any revocation of such authorization are to be communicated either in writing or via electronic media (“Textform”) to the address, fax number or e-mail address stated in the convocation of the AM or in writing or via electronic media (“Textform”) to the proxy. In the latter case, the Company must be furnished with proof in writing or via electronic media (“Textform”). Proxy authorisation can also be granted in the context of ordering admission tickets via the e-service for shareholders. Shareholders can find further information on this and, in particular, regarding the use of the e-service for shareholders, in the convocation of the AM.
Alternatively, a shareholder may appoint the company proxies and give voting instructions to those proxies, who will vote solely according to the instructions of the shareholder at the AM. The shareholder can issue the authorization of company proxies and the voting instructions via the e-service for shareholders, via telefax, e-mail or post. Shareholders can find further information on this in the convocation of the AM.