site.btaNo Shows in Two Consecutive Elections of Same Type to Be Stricken Off Electoral Rolls

No Shows in Two Consecutive Elections of Same Type to Be Stricken Off Electoral Rolls

Sofia, April 27 (BTA) - Persons who have failed to exercise their franchise without a valid excuse in two consecutive elections of the same type will be removed from the electoral rolls for the next such elections and will be added to the list of removed persons under terms and procedure established by the Central Election Commission, Bulgaria's National Assembly resolved at an extaordinary sitting late Monday night, passing conclusively a further batch of amendments to the Election Code.

Such voters will be able to exercise their franchise in the next elections of the same type if they apply in writing, either in person or through an authorized representative holding a notarized authorization, to the competent authority at their permanent address not later than 30 days in advance of polling day.

Voters will not be removed from the roll if they prove that they were prevented from voting for compelling reasons. 'Compelling reasons' means absence from the country during the period of conduct of the respective type of elections, sickness, engagement in study or official business, and other unforeseeable circumstances. The new provision will not apply to Bulgarian citizens resident abroad, persons with permanent disabilities, visually impaired persons or persons with ambulant difficulties, as well as to persons aged over 70 who have failed to exercise their franchise.

The MPs gave up the idea to provide for incentives for voters who have exercised their franchise.

According to another amendment that was conclusively passed, a "None Of The Above" square will be printed on the ballots, and a ballot so marked will count as a valid vote.

Dimiter Delchev MP of the Reformist Bloc moved that the "None Of the Above" votes be subtracted from the valid votes when determining which parties have reached the 4 per cent threshold to entry in Parliament and when allocating the seats. The motion will be put to the vote at the next plenary sitting.

The coat of arms or the national flag of the Republic of Bulgaria or of a foreign State, as well as religious signs or designs, may not be used in canvassing materials.

The legislature resolved that print media and online news services may cover free of charge the election campaign or parties, coalitions and nomination committees which have registered candidates.

For the conduct of an awareness campaign regarding citizens' rights and duties, all media service providers operating within a national range may offer the Central Election Commission broadcasting time of not less than 15 minutes per week free of charge during the period of the preparation and conduct of the elections.

The motion to ban the publication of public opinion poll results or sociological survey results related to the elections during the election campaign was rejected.

The polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and will close at 8:00 p.m., with an option for one-hour extension. So far, voters were able to vote from 6:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.