Bulgaria’s Central Election Commission (CEC) has unveiled the samples of paper and electronic ballots for the parliamentary elections scheduled on April 19, officials said.
CEC spokesperson Rositsa Mateva said preparations for the vote are proceeding normally. A total of 60,904 applications for voting from abroad have been submitted, with the deadline for submissions ending on March 24.
The commission is holding meetings with district election commissions to coordinate the electoral process and training programs. A mobile application is also being developed to allow access to electronic voting protocols.
Mateva said that verification of voting machines and software is ongoing. Seven party and coalition representatives, along with non-governmental organizations, have registered to monitor the process. Twelve Bulgarian NGOs and two international organizations will also participate as observers in the elections.
Of all candidates running for parliament, 19 hold dual citizenship, including eight women. Bulgarian citizens may vote at their permanent or current residence with prior registration, but those on vacation or at a sanatorium in another location will not be eligible to vote, Mateva added.
Ballots consist of two pages. Voters mark their choice in the box next to a party or coalition number using a blue pen, either with an “X” or a checkmark. Voting machines operate in the same manner as in previous elections. After marking the ballot, voters verify their vote, press the “Vote” button, and receive a printed ballot, which they review, fold, and submit to the precinct election commission to be stamped before depositing it in the ballot box.
Bulgaria is preparing for a closely watched parliamentary election amid ongoing political tensions and debates over electoral integrity. Recent years have seen frequent changes in government and public dissatisfaction with political parties. These elections come amid heightened scrutiny over voting processes, including the use of electronic machines, and concerns about transparency and fair access for citizens voting abroad. Observers from domestic and international organizations have been invited to ensure the process meets international standards.
According to recent credible opinion polls ahead of Bulgaria’s April 19, 2026 parliamentary election, the front‑runner is the coalition formed by former president Rumen Radev. Polling by Sova Harris published in mid‑March showed Radev’s Progressive Bulgaria coalition leading with around 30.9 % support, followed by the centre‑right GERB–UDF on about 19 % and the reformist We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria alliance on roughly 12 % if the election were held at that time.
Radev, who stepped down as president to form the coalition, leads polling across multiple surveys, though none suggest an outright majority and negotiation with other parties would likely be necessary to form a government.