Bulgarian parties urge president to veto law capping polling stations abroad

The Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (APS) and the We Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria coalition (PP-DB) have called on President Iliana Iotova to veto recently adopted changes to Bulgaria’s Electoral Code. The amendments cap the number of polling stations outside diplomatic missions in each country at 20.

During the parliamentary vote on the changes, Hasan Ademov, an MP for the APS, said he opposed the restrictions proposed by the far-right Vazrazhdane party. He added that he could not accept what he described as a violation of the constitutional rights of Bulgarian citizens.

Speaking to journalists at the headquarters of Yes, Bulgaria — which is part of the PP-DB coalition — co-chair Ivaylo Mirchev said that the final version of the restrictions seemed to favour DPS leader Delian Peevski. “These measures prevent votes from abroad from affecting the result in Bulgaria,” he said.

The proposed amendments have sparked debate over the voting rights of Bulgarian citizens living abroad, with opponents arguing that the changes could affect participation among expatriates.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova
Posted in English by E. Radkova