site.btaBulgarians Abroad Can Vote in 719 Sections in 57 Countries in Oct. 27 Elections

There are a total of 719 voting sections in 57 foreign countries for Bulgaria's October 27 parliamentary elections, Central Election Commission Deputy Chair Tsvetozar Tomov told a briefing on Tuesday.

Due to the grave situation in Israel and Lebanon, it is not possible to ensure the security of the Bulgarian borders and there will be no sections in Tel Aviv and Beirut.

A total of 30,689 applications were received for voting abroad - fewer than those submitted for the June 9 elections. The reasons are the declining voter turnout and the opening of polling stations where more than 100 voters voted in previous elections.

Tomov urged people who want to vote abroad to submit applications because this makes it easier to prepare for voting in those countries. Those who apply are included in the electoral roll in advance. He recalled that on Election Day Bulgarians can submit a declaration that they have not voted and will not vote elsewhere, and thus exercise their right to vote even if they have not applied to vote abroad.

Regarding the consultations on the section election commissions (SECs) abroad, Tomov said that all parliamentary parties and coalitions were involved, as well as Foreign Ministry representatives. Representatives of other formations can also attend. "After the consultations, we have to decide on the composition of the SECs. Parties and coalitions can propose changes until October 19 at the latest," he said.

Tomov added: "So far during the term of this Central Election Commission, the parties have always reached agreement on the composition of the SECs. It is too early to say how things will turn out at today's consultations because they started at 10:30 am and they usually take at least 12 hours." He added that there is tension, but he hopes that the two groups in the leadership of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms will resolve their differences.

The deadline for submissions for voting at one's present address and for a mobile voting station (for people with health problems) is October 12.

The registration of observers is in progress and eight organizations have registered so far.