Bulgaria takes first step towards compulsory voting in elections
Bulgaria’s National Assembly approved at first reading on March 10 2016 amendments to the Electoral Act that would make voting in elections compulsory.
This was an issue proposed by President Rossen Plevneliev for a referendum in 2015, but the question was not put to the electorate after the National Assembly decided against including it in the poll, which was held solely on the question of introducing electronic voting as an option in elections and referendums.
Also approved at first reading were provisions for the creation of a separate voting district for Bulgarian voters outside the country and shortening the official campaign period from 30 days to 21 days.
A total of 14 proposed changes to election laws were presented to Bulgaria’s MPs for first-reading approval on March 10. They approved 11 of them.
The constituency for voters outside Bulgaria will be multi-mandate. Voters outide the country will be able to vote for candidate lists and exercise preferences for candidates when voting, and not merely for a party or coalition.
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(Photo: podtepeto.com)
