A WEB

System of government

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

Unitary parliamentary republic

System of government-References:

 

Total population

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

6,924,716

 

Total population-References:

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

6,931,855

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:

 

Number of registered voters

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

6,931,855

 

Number of registered voters-References:

 

Number of registered political parties

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Number of polling stations

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Average number of voters per polling station

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting age

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

18

 

Voting age-References:

 

Elected Offices

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Election system

Last Updated : 2016-09-27

List Proportional Representation

 

Election system-References:

 

Terms of office

Last Updated : 2016-09-27

The President is elected by absolute majority vote through a two-round system to serve a 5-year term.

In the National Assembly 240 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system to serve 4-year terms.

 

Terms of office-References:

 

Election

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

Bulgarian parliamentary election, 2014 

Election-References:

 

Date

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

5 October 2014

 

Date-References:

 

Political parties in the elections

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Number of elected candidates

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

240

 

Number of elected candidates-References:

 

Voter turnout

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

47%

 

Voter turnout-References:

 

Number of ballots cast

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

3,501,269

 

Number of ballots cast-References:

 

Legal framework for elections

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

Part of Constitution - Separate legislation

 

Legal framework for elections-References:

 

Legal provisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria (adopted July, 1991): Articles 10; 42; 84:5; 98:1; 102:6

 

Legal provisions-References:

 

Referenda

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

N/A

 

Referenda-References:

 

People’s Initiatives

Last Updated : 2016-12-01

N/A

 

People’s Initiatives-References:

 

Recall Votes

Last Updated : 2016-12-01

N/A

 

Recall Votes-References:

 

Official name

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Central election commission

 

Official name -References:

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Independent

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:

 

EMB budget source

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

The legislature - A national government department

 

EMB budget source-References:

 

EMB expenditure audit

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

A national government department

 

EMB expenditure audit-References:

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

11 - 20 members

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

For a specified number of years

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Head of State - Legislature - Political parties

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:

 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

Legislative appointment - Presidential/ Prime Minister appointment 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:

 

Administrative divisions

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

divided into 28 provinces which correspond approximately to the 28 districts 

Administrative divisions -References:

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

constituencies are delimited for election purposes

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Equality of population
Conformity with local jurisdiction boundaries

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Executive

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Requirements on the right to vote

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reasons for having the right to vote revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral Eligibility

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reasons for having the eligibility revoked

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Requirements for party registration

Last Updated : 2016-09-02

Signature requirement (specify requirement) - Other

 

Requirements for party registration-References:

 

Candidate nomination

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

independent candidates can compete in both presidential and legislative elections

 

Candidate nomination-References:

 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

- Requirement

Age
Citizenship
Other

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:

 

Candidate registration deposit

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Amount of fee

- Return of fee

Uncontested Election

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

Uncontested Election -References:

 

Preparation of the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

A continuous register (voter data is continuously collected and d between electoral events)

 

Preparation of the voters list-References: From The Civil Registration Act

 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

Yes

 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:

 

Who is responsible for the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

General Directorate “Civil Registration and Administrative service” (GD “GRAO”) at the Ministry of Regional Development keeps a register of the population.

 

Who is responsible for the voters list -References:

 

Voters list preparation procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Inspection and objection procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Definition

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Prohibited forms of campaigning

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Who is not permitted to campaign

Campaign Finance

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Campaign expense limit

- Income and expenditure of campaign expense

- Report, public inspection, and open of income and expenditure

- Investigation on income and expenditure of campaign expense & actions

- Reimbursement of campaign expense

Presiding officers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① How many of officers in a polling station

② Roles of each officer

③ How we nominate the officers

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Polling station location criteria

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting hours

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Is compulsory or voluntary?

② How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?

Ballot Paper

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Determination of the order of candidates on ballots

② What has to be included in the ballot paper?

③ Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper

④ Valid and invalid ballot paper

Voting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

- Start ofvoting

- Process of voting

- End of voting

Marking method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

① Who are subjected to do

② Voting procedures

Counting Location

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

The polling stations

 

Counting Location-References:

 

Counting period

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Vote counting method

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-08-23

Preliminary count of all ballots in ballot box - Tally of voters who voted - Number of ballots in box reconciled against number of voters - Sorted into piles according to individual party/candidate - Counted by hand - Copies of results of the count are publicly posted at the counting site immediately on the completion of the count - Copies of results are provided to observers - Copies of results are provided to party agents

Counting Procedures-References:

 

When are ballots recounted?

Last Updated : 2016-09-09

Never recounted

 

When are ballots recounted?-References:

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

Citizens residing outside the country

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:

 

Overseas voters list preparation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Where to vote

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Voting procedure for early voting

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Methods used to transport ballot papers

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Counting procedure

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Apportioning of National Assembly seats

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Results Announcement

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Is the announcement of preliminary result required?

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Deadline for announcement of final results

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Reason for holding a by- or re-election

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

By-election dates

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Electoral process

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

Equal regardless of size of party and previous performance

 

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:

 

Television debates

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

presidential elections - legislative elections

 

The Bulgarian National Television and the Bulgarian National Radio provide the parties, coalitions and initiative committees, registered candidates, television and radio debates free to agreed topics with a total duration not less than 240 minutes. It also provides a total of at least 60 minutes during radio and television programs, respectively in regional broadcasts of radio and television centers, free debates between representatives of parties, coalitions and initiative committees , registered candidates.  

 

Television debates-References:

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results

Last Updated : 2016-08-19

1 day

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution body

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

the Constitutional Court

 

Electoral dispute resolution body-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

Article 264. (1) Thecandidates for National Representatives or, respectively, for Members of theEuropean Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria, the central leaderships ofthe parties competent to do so according to the statute, and the leaderships ofthe coalitions of parties competent to do so according to the decision on theformation of the coalition, who and which have participated in the elections,may dispute the legitimacy of the elections of National Representatives or theelection of a National Representative or, respectively, of a Member of theEuropean Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria, before the authoritiesreferred to in Article 150 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria within seven days after the decision declaring theelection results is made public by the Central Election Commission.

(2) Within 15 days after the decision declaring theelection results is made public by the Central Election Commission, theauthorities referred to in Article 150 (1) of the Constitution of the Republicof Bulgaria may approach the Constitutional Court with a reasoned petitionto pronounce on the legitimacy of the elections of National Representatives orthe election of a National Representative or, respectively, of a Member of theEuropean Parliament for the Republic of Bulgaria.

(3) Any such petition shallbe examined under the terms and according to the procedure established by theConstitutional Court Act and the Regulations on the Organization of theActivities of the Constitutional Court.

(4) A judgment of theConstitutional Court establishing illegitimacy of the elections of NationalRepresentatives or of the election of a National Representative or,respectively, of a Member of the European Parliament for the Republic ofBulgaria, shall be transmitted to the National Assembly, the Central ElectionCommission and to the persons concerned. […]

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Direct public funding

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

both regularly provided funding and in relation to campaigns

 

Direct public funding-References:

 

Private funding of political parties

Last Updated : 2016-12-13

1) The party registered candidates can finance his campaign by: 1 own funds of the party; 2 means the candidates; 3 donations from individuals.

Private funding of political parties-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

Fines

Forfeiture

Loss of public funding

Deregistration of party

Loss of elected office

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies

Last Updated : 2016-10-21

The National Revenue Agency (NRA) is entitled to carry out activities within its competence in respect of political parties which have failed to submit to the National Audit Office the financial statements within time limits (article 35a PPA). The Executive Director of the NRA transfers to the National Audit Office information about the action taken, including information on the auditing instruments issued."

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs?

Last Updated : 2016-11-03

- E-voting : Direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines with and without voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT)

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs? -References:

 

When it was introduced

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

When it was introduced-References:

 

Gender equality

Last Updated : 2016-12-13

Female Population: 3,819,867 (2009)

·         Is Bulgaria a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (17 July 1980)

·         Has Bulgaria ratified CEDAW: Yes (8 February 1982)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: Yes 

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 50 (following the 2009 election)

·         Human Development Index Position: 59 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: Low (2014)

 

Gender equality-References:

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters

Last Updated : 2016-12-13

Is Bulgaria a signatory to CRPD: Yes (27 September 2007)

·         Has Bulgaria ratified CRPD: Yes (22 March 2012)

·         Population with a disability: 1,116,666 (est.)

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:

 

Voter education

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

N/A

 

Voter education-References:

 

National civic education

Last Updated : 2016-11-10

N/A

 

National civic education-References:

 

EMB Staff education

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

N/A

 

EMB Staff education-References:

 

Domestic observation

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

International observation

Last Updated : 2016-12-02

In anticipation of an official invitation to observe the upcoming presidential election to be held in 2016 and in accordance with its mandate, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) undertook a Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) to Bulgaria from 31 May to 3 June.

 

International observation-References:

 

Partnerships/MoUs

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

International Activities

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Major challenges to elections

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Measures taken to deal with those Challenges

Last Updated : 2016-05-03