Bulgarian Expats Display Increased Interest in April 19 Parliamentary Elections
The number of Bulgarians living abroad applying to vote in the April 19 parliamentary elections has nearly doubled compared to the October 2024 elections, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC). As of the March 24 midnight deadline, a total of 60,897 electronic applications had been submitted Novinite.
Surge in Applications by Country
The CEC Chairperson, Kamelia Neykova, described the increase as “dramatic,” noting that just over 30,000 applications were submitted in the previous election. The largest numbers of applications originated from:
- Turkey: More than 15,500 submissions
- United Kingdom: 10,400 submissions
- Germany: Approximately 8,000 submissions
- United States: Nearly 4,000 submissions Novinite.
Polling Station Limitations and Challenges
While applications have surged, limitations exist regarding the number of polling stations available, particularly outside of the European Union. The Electoral Code sets a maximum of 20 polling stations outside diplomatic and consular missions in non-EU countries Novinite.
Neykova indicated that the CEC faces the challenge of adjusting proposals from diplomatic and consular missions to ensure polling stations are as accessible as possible to voters. The possibility of opening sections in honorary consulates depends on whether they meet the necessary requirements Novinite.
Decreased Applications from Turkey
Despite the overall increase, applications from Turkey are lower than in the October 2024 election. Currently, there are 15,536 applications from Turkey, compared to 30,688 in October 2024 BNR News.
Polling Stations in the Middle East
It is likely that there will be no polling stations in the Middle East due to the limited number of applications received from the region BNR News. Voters who submitted applications will be notified of the final decision around March 28.
Increased Applications in the UK and US
Applications from the United Kingdom have more than doubled, exceeding 4,000 compared to approximately 2,000 in October 2024 BNR News. There has also been an increase in applications from the United States.
By March 28, the CEC must finalize the number and locations of polling stations outside Bulgaria.