Bulgaria is in a month-long election campaign for parliamentary vote in April

At midnight on March 20, Bulgaria officially started the election campaign for the country’s seventh early parliamentary election in the past five years. It will last until midnight on April 17. April 18 is a day for reflection before the vote, which is scheduled for April 19.

A total of 24 political formations – 14 parties and 10 coalitions, will participate in the race for seats in the 52nd National Assembly. Among them are both established parties and new players who declare their ambition to win the trust of voters. This increases the intrigue surrounding the arrangement of the new parliamentary puzzle.

The campaign must be conducted in Bulgarian, with public meetings. Anonymous materials, agitation in state institutions and by religious officials, as well as vote buying, are prohibited. According to Bulgarian law, adult citizens in the country and compatriots abroad have the right to vote.

This time, voting abroad will be held under new rules. In February, the parliament introduced changes to the Electoral Code for countries outside the EU. In these countries, outside of diplomatic and consular missions, up to 20 polling stations can be formed.

The change is expected to affect compatriots in Turkey, the UK and the USA the most, where dozens of stations are traditionally opened due to the large number of people wishing to vote. The new restriction is expected to lead to long queues and greater distances to polling stations for Bulgarian voters in these countries.

In connection with the situation in the Middle East and the few applications submitted to vote in the region, there is a possibility that polling stations will not be opened there.

The Central Election Commission informs that every voter can check the number and address of their polling station on the website https://www.grao.bg/elections/

Compiled by: Miglena Ivanova