Nearly 70% higher voter turnout reported at polling station in Melbourne

A record voter turnout was reported by the sectional election commission in Melbourne, Australia’s second-largest city. A total of 149 Bulgarian citizens exercised their right to vote there, representing an increase of nearly 70% compared to the parliamentary elections in October 2024, when 80 voters cast their ballots, Mancho Manev, a member of the sectional election commission, told Radio Bulgaria.

“The election day is proceeding very calmly, and turnout is much higher compared to previous elections so far. We are recording over 38% increase in voter participation. We have a constant flow of voters, so we are very pleasantly surprised by this activity. There are many Bulgarians who travel quite long distances to vote. These are extremely conscientious people - one gentleman had traveled 200 km to exercise his right to vote. The Bulgarians who make this effort know that this is part of their duty to the homeland and they do it with a smile and without complaining.”

Mancho Manev, who has experience in organizing the electoral process in Australia, is categorical that preparations for the current vote have gone smoothly and without surprises. However, he emphasizes the mood among voters today - “we notice a slightly elevated mood and hope among people when they enter the polling station.”

Echoing President Iliana Iotova’s call to value our vote and to vote because it means holding on to one’s civic right and being part of the ambition for a prosperous Bulgaria, Mancho Manev commented:

“This is truly an act of belonging to Bulgaria, and many people share this view. Regarding information - in our digital age, access to information is much easier and it is a matter of will. Many Bulgarians here get information from relatives and friends in Bulgaria, so they are up to date with what is happening in politics - both the good and the bad - and they are surprisingly well informed about these trends, in my observation. This is very positive, because it shows that although these Bulgarians are far from their homeland, they are actively interested in what is happening and are not indifferent.”

And tomorrow, when the hope and faith of our compatriots in Australia become just part of the statistics, Mancho Manev would say only one thing to the future 240 members of the 52nd National Assembly of Bulgaria:

“They have a very difficult task ahead of them, that is the first thing I would think or say. They simply need to forget all party differences, unite, and act with one goal - Bulgaria.”

Edited by Elena Karkalanova