Bulgaria’s parliamentary election day began smoothly across the country, election officials said on Sunday, while authorities urged strong voter turnout both domestically and abroad.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) said all polling stations had opened and were operating normally, with minor early issues quickly resolved.
CEC chair Kamelia Neykova said election staff must ensure that all citizens are able to vote without obstruction, while authorities called for any irregularities to be reported promptly.
CEC spokesperson Rositsa Mateva said all sections were functioning despite isolated delays and minor technical issues with voting machines in some locations.
The vote will determine the composition of Bulgaria’s 240-seat parliament.
Voting abroad underway
The foreign ministry said voting by Bulgarian citizens abroad was proceeding under established procedures, noting that polling station locations may differ from previous elections.
Officials urged voters overseas to check polling addresses and voter lists in advance, adding that citizens who had not pre-registered could still vote by submitting a declaration at polling stations confirming eligibility and that they would not vote elsewhere.
Authorities said sufficient documentation had been provided to ensure the process runs smoothly.
Political leaders call for participation
Political leaders also issued messages as voting got underway.
Rumen Radev, leader of the “Progressive Bulgaria” formation, called on citizens to vote, saying the election presented a “historic chance” to break with what he described as an oligarchic model.
He said higher turnout was key to countering vote-buying and ensuring political change, while stressing the need for institutional reforms and a stable government.
Separately, Delyan Peevski, leader of the DPS party, said voters were deciding “what kind of state they want to live in,” adding that he had voted for “a state of the people” focused on stability and prosperity.
The election comes amid political fragmentation and repeated elections in recent years, with parties seeking to secure enough support to form a stable government.