site.btaVoter Turnout in Local Elections Nearly 51% Based on 91% of Tally Sheets Processed

Sofia, October 28 (BTA) - Voter turnout in Sunday's local elections was nearly 51 per cent, based on 90.93 per cent of sectional election commission (SEC) tally sheets processed, Alexander Andreev, a spokesman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), told reporters on Monday. In the last local elections in 2015, turnout was 53.60 per cent.

"We expect the CEC to announce the results of the first round of local elections within the legal 48-hour deadline - most likely on Tuesday afternoon," said Andreev.

An analysis of the tally sheets showed that so far about 4 percent of votes were invalid, and the "I do not support anyone" option was chosen by about 3 per cent of voters, Andreev pointed out.

On election day, the CEC received 257 complaints and signals, most notably electoral violations, unregulated agitation, or the dissemination of polls. Four of the signals received were in connection to vote-buying.

The CEC issued 12 permissions for lifting the immunity of candidates, added Andreev.

"The election process went smoothly, without major disruption," he summarized. DS/DT