site.btaUPDATED Relatively Low Turnout in Ankara, Istanbul as Bulgarians Vote for Parliament
The voter turnout in the Bulgarian snap general elections on Sunday is relatively low in Ankara and Istanbul.
In Ankara, Bulgarians can vote in three polling stations: one at the Bulgarian Embassy and two in the quarters Pursaklar and Sinjan. At the embassy, Bulgarians can also vote in the European Parliament elections.
As at noon on Sunday, 53 Bulgarians had voted for MPs and 43 had voted for MEPs at the Embassy, BTA learned from the election commission members. Voting is possible by paper ballot only. A large part of the voters fill in their voting declaration on site.
At the polling station in Pursaklar, 175 people had voted by 1:20 pm. Voting is possible by ballot paper and voting machines alike.
The voter turnout is lower than in April 2023, possibly because the holiday season has begun and also because exams for entry in universities take place on Sunday. In the afternoon, the turnout might increase, the commission members told BTA. Voters prefer machine voting, including older people.
In Istanbul, the voting for Bulgaria's 50th National Assembly progresses calmly and with a low voter turnout. There are 51 polling stations where Bulgarians can vote for MPs. According to preliminary data, over 7,900 people had cast their votes by 2 pm. In comparison, 20,000 voted for Bulgarian Parliament in the elections on April 2, 2023.
Two polling stations have been opened in the district of Avcilar, which is compactly populated by Bulgarian emigrants. By midday just over 500 people had voted. There are not many people in front of the polling stations, everyone enters and votes, and can choose whether to use a paper ballot or a machine. Those who have not applied in advance fill in a declaration on the spot.
At the polling station in the Kartal district, where there is also a voting machine, there is also no rush to vote.
The polling station in the Bulgarian Consulate General building in Istanbul is one of a total of four where people are voting Sunday for both members of the National Assembly and MEPs. However, mainly diplomatic mission representatives and Bulgarian tourists are expected to vote for MEPs, as most Bulgarian expats do not meet the residency requirement and cannot vote for MEPs.
In Turkiye, Bulgarians can vote at 166 polling stations for representatives in the national parliament. Voting for representatives in the European Parliament is possible at Bulgaria's diplomatic representations.
/DS/
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