President Rumen Radev continues consultations on holding parliamentary elections. Earlier today he met with the leadership of the Central Election Commission (CEC). In front of them, the Head of State stressed that it was not his idea to hold the vote in two days. Yesterday he said that similar proposals were received by him and asked to understand the opinion of the mayors of the National Association of Municipalities in the Republic of Bulgaria. However, this was reinterpreted by some media. They said the President proposed a two-day vote. Today, the Head of State denied these allegations.
He asked the Central Election Commission if it was possible to organize a postal vote. He gave the example of Romania, where one has been introduced. The idea is for our compatriots abroad to be able to exercise their voice in this way.
CEC Chairman Alexander Andreev announced that this is applicable in many countries, but requires active registration of citizens to obtain the relevant documentation. In addition, changes to the Electoral Code are needed for this to happen. It became clear from his words that experiments must first be made and their vote not be taken into account. That is, for these parliamentary elections, this will not be organized despite all calls in this direction.
The Head of State also demanded that the Central Election Commission tell him the exact date on which the last voting machine will be received. However, he did not hear her. He received only the verbal assurances of Alexander Andreev that the machines would arrive 50 days before the elections. However, it turned out that the contract with the selected supplier company has yet to be signed.
However, Radev quoted an interview with the director of the company in question, who said that the first machines will come on February 10, in the second tranche – in the period March 3 – April 15. Which automatically compromises the March 28 election date. The President insisted on being given the exact date on Monday because he stressed that he should know that.
Regarding the voting of the people under quarantine, Andreev was categorical that in order for this to be possible with mobile ballot boxes, there must be a change to the Electoral Code, because for the time being this is planned to happen only for Bulgarian citizens with disabilities.
