Election official removed from commission in Bolyartsi

Mariana Angelova, a 77-year-old deputy chair of a section election commission in Bolyartsi, has been removed from her position following allegations of misconduct. The 17th Regional Election Commission in Plovdiv Province issued the decision after receiving reports that Angelova engaged in political campaigning, made racially offensive remarks, and violated public order.

Angelova denies the allegations, claiming she was attempting to report irregularities within the commission. She alleged that the commission chairman violated voting secrecy by taking ballots from voters—specifically from a local Roma neighborhood where many struggled with literacy or machine usage—and directing their choices toward specific parties. According to Angelova, when she confronted the chairman about these actions, he threatened her with removal from the commission. The commission, supported by the local mayor, ultimately voted to dismiss her and requested police assistance to remove her from the site.