Bulgarian Parliament Approves Full Machine Voting in Large Polling Stations

The Bulgarian Parliament adopted amendments to the Election Code, mandating electronic voting machines in electoral sections that have more than 300 registered voters. The change, passed with 148 votes for and 32 against, excludes sections with fewer voters, mobile ballot boxes, hospitals, elderly homes and other specialized institutions, where paper ballots will remain available. The new system will be first tested in the presidential election scheduled for 25 October.

The reforms also remove the previous ceiling that limited overseas voting sections to 300 voters, rescind proposals to introduce optical devices, and tighten rules for voters with permanent disabilities, allowing them to vote independently with the machines after a year‑long procurement process. The Central Election Commission, headed by Georgi Horozov, will establish training units for commission members and publish an electronic register of trained personnel. Sessions of the commission will be streamed online.

The legislation was supported by parties such as Progressive Bulgaria, Democratic Bulgaria and Continue the Change, while GERB‑SDS, DPS and Revival opposed it. The overhaul aims to modernise Bulgarian elections while retaining safeguards for smaller or special voting sections.