site.btaRecord-High Number of Applications for Overseas Voting for Nov. 6 Bulgarian Presidential Elections

Record-High Number of Applications for Overseas Voting for Nov. 6 Bulgarian Presidential Elections

Sofia, October 13 (BTA) - The number of applications for overseas voting in the upcoming Bulgarian presidential elections is higher than for any previous presidential elections, said Tsvetozar Tomov of the Central Election Commission (CEC).

A total of 34,090 Bulgarians abroad have asked to vote on November 6. The number is highest in the UK (7,106), followed by Turkey (6,587), Germany (3,508) and the United States (2,933), said CEC Spokesperson Alexander Andreev.

The number of overseas voters in the UK is also record-setting for this country and for Western Europe in general - despite the complicated voting arrangements in Britain and the small popularity of this vote, Tomov commented.

CEC has until October 15 to determine the locations for overseas voting in the Bulgarian presidential elections.

Asked whether it is possible to open more voting stations than the maximum number allowed by the election legislation, 35, in countries where a larger number of overseas voting applications have been filed, the CEC Spokespersons said that the CEC is considering the matter and will have a decision by October 15.

On October 16, the Foreign Ministry will send information about the voter lists and on October 18 the heads of diplomatic missions and consulates will have to set up the polling stations and publish the voter lists, Andreev explained.