site.btaGovernment Greenlights Budget Plan for October 2024 Elections

The government has green-lit a budget plan of BGN 100,028,000 for the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27, 2024, the Council of Ministers said here on Friday. The funds are earmarked to cover all aspects of election preparation, from printing electoral rolls and producing essential documents like voting envelopes, tally sheets, and certificates to logistical support for regional and municipal administrations.

Key allocations in the budget include payments for members of regional and section election commissions, the establishment of voting stations abroad, and the implementation of public safety measures by the Ministry of Interior. The budget will also support a public information campaign to educate citizens on their voting rights and the election process, and provide training for election commission members, ensuring a transparent and well-managed election day.

The Council of Ministers has pledged additional funding for logistics and technical support related to the specialized electronic voting machines, pending contract finalization by the Central Election Commission. These funds will ensure the smooth functioning of both machine and paper ballot voting, computerized election data processing, and the timely publication of election results.

This comprehensive funding strategy is in line with Article 18 of the Election Code, ensuring that the necessary resources are available to facilitate a fair and efficient election process. The government plans to secure these funds through reallocations or transfers within the central budget for 2024.