President Rumen Radev continues consultations on the conduct of the parliamentary elections. Today he met with representatives of the Public Council of the Central Election Commission. Before them, the head of state was adamant that a secure vote must be ensured, during which a legitimate parliament should be elected. He stressed that there must be trust in the health authorities in order to have a normal turnout. And only a legitimate parliament can sustain a government. According to the President, it should start dismantling the vicious management model in our country.
According to Radev, it is important to build trust in machine voting. Therefore, there must be transparency in the auditing and certification of machinery.
The Public Council of the Central Election Commission is of the opinion that the elections can be held in the conditions of a coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, they are adamant that preparations must begin. Their recommendation is to consider all possible actions for registration of parties, coalitions and observers online.
In addition, there were opinions that the date of March 28 should not be moved, because there is no guarantee that on April 28 there will be no more patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the vote must take place as early as possible.
As for the quarantined by the Public Council, they stressed that the Electoral Code provides for the possibility for them to vote with mobile ballot boxes. They also said that if there is a change in the legislation, it should be considered that the counting of ballots should be broadcast online so that there is no crowd, and those who have to follow the process can watch it live.
Regarding the voting by mail, according to them, it cannot be introduced at the moment, as there is no such experience in Bulgaria, and first experiments must be made and only then to proceed to a de facto vote on this model.
Vice President Iliana Yotova asked to find out whether it is necessary to introduce „green corridors“ for the elderly. According to Rositsa Mateva from the Public Council, it is enough for the voting to be through a room and for a good organization of the voters’ movement to be created.
