Bulgaria changed election rules just two months after new elections. Despite protests, parliament passed a controversial amendment to the electoral law in its second and final reading on Friday evening. The core is the reintroduction of the classic paper ballot as an alternative way of voting – parallel to the current form of voting only with machines in the polling stations. However, there will still be no voting by mail or online.
The new rules were approved by a parliamentary majority comprising the centre-right GERB party led by former Prime Minister Boiko Borissov, the Socialists and the Turkish party DPS. They complain that the results of the early parliamentary elections on October 2 could have been falsified because there are hardly any control mechanisms for the voting machines. The three parties also justified the reintroduction of paper ballots on the grounds that older people had difficulty using the voting machines.
The camp around former Prime Minister Kiril Petkov opposed the amendment, because paper ballot elections in the past resulted in falsified results and vote robbery. His coalition government was overthrown in June with a vote of no confidence in parliament.
Borissov’s GERB, as the winner of the election, will be tasked with forming a new government next Monday. A transitional cabinet now rules in Sofia. (saw/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
