site.bta Interior Ministry Discusses Election Security Measures

Interior Ministry Discusses Election Security Measures

Sofia, February 3 (BTA) - At a national meeting on Friday, the Bulgarian Interior Ministry discussed preparations for the March 26 early parliamentary elections and restoring public confidence in the police. Participants in the meeting included caretaker Prime Minister Ognyan Gerdjikov, Defence Minister Stefan Yanev, Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov and State Agency for National Security Chairman Dimiter Georgiev.

The Interior Ministry also summoned all 179 directors of precinct police departments in the country in order to map out specific measures against vote-buying. "The Ministry is ready to guarantee the security of the elections,"
Interior Minister Plamen Ouzounov said. "Unconventional measures against this phenomenon have been outlined," Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Georgi Kostov said. Part of these measures will remain confidential for the time being in order to surprise the law breakers.

The Ministry will take care of the protection of the printing house where the ballot papers are printed, their transportation and security at the voting sections. The Ministry will also assist anyone who has problems with identity document on polling day.