site.btaNational Ombudsman Manolova Petitions Constitutional Court about Sanction for Non-voting Bulgarians

National Ombudsman Manolova Petitions Constitutional Court about  Sanction for Non-voting Bulgarians

Smolyan, Southwestern Bulgaria, July 26 (BTA) - Speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday, National Ombudsman Maya Manolova said she has petitioned the Constitutional Court about Article 242a of the Election Code, which sanctions Bulgarian citizens who have not voted by removing them from voters lists. Manolova explained that she is ready with texts of the petition against the voting restrictions for Bulgarian citizens abroad, adding, however, that she first wants to discuss the matter with Bulgarian expat organizations. The Ombudsman was in Smolyan to meet with local residents.

According to her, the contested Election Code Article 242a constitutes a restrictive measure, which deprives citizens of their basic right to vote. After the Legislature has introduced compulsory voting, it would be illogical to sanction those who have failed to vote by removing them from voters lists, Manolova reasoned. She explained that she will inform the Bulgarians abroad about the arguments of her petition, which pertains to restricting the voting rights of the Bulgarian diaspora. Manolova said that after she gets their approval, she will submit a petition against restricting the voting rights of the Bulgarians abroad. The situation is pretty sensitive because the presidential elections are around the corner and the consequences of a constitutional petition against these texts would be impossible to predict, she noted.