Bulgaria's DPS pushes to replace voting machines with optical scanners

The parliamentary group of Democratic Bulgaria (DPS) has presented an amendment to the Election Code calling for the replacement of the current electronic voting machines—dubbed “madurovki”—with machines that use optical scanning technology. DPS argues that the existing machines are compromised worldwide, citing numerous technical failures and public distrust, and claims that the optical scanners combine the advantages of paper ballots with electronic counting, a system used in the United States and other nations.

The amendment was deposited between the first and second readings of the law, following a recent parliamentary decision that restored the original form of machine voting introduced in 2021. DPS says the proposal aims to curb potential vote manipulation and restore confidence in the electoral process. The amendment now awaits further consideration by the National Assembly.