Bulgaria prepares for presidential elections

Preparations are underway for the upcoming presidential elections in Bulgaria. The Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced that it is ready for the vote on October 25. According to CEC spokesperson Stoyanka Balova, 8 parties and coalitions, along with 20 initiative committees, have registered for the election. To avoid a runoff, a candidate must secure 50% plus one vote of the valid ballots cast.

The CEC is conducting maintenance on voting machines, including replacing batteries and flash memory. Sections with fewer than 300 voters will use paper ballots. Additionally, the commission is finalizing a contract for video surveillance during the process. Approximately 5,500 citizens have already applied to vote from abroad, including from Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States.

In the political arena, former Agriculture Minister and presidential candidate Ivan Hristanov stated he is competing for a spot in the top three to reach a runoff. Hristanov emphasized the need for a strong presidency to act as a check on executive and legislative powers. He called for substantive campaigns focused on ideas and qualities rather than mutual attacks or character assassination.