Sofia, Bulgaria – The deadline for submitting advance applications to vote abroad in Bulgaria’s upcoming early parliamentary elections on October 27 has passed, with preparations underway to set up approximately 720 polling stations outside the country.
The final number will be determined by the Central Election Commission (CEC), according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Elena Shekerletova.
More than 150 of these stations will be equipped with voting machines, a development announced during a meeting on election logistics led by Caretaker Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev.
“Over 150 stations will have voting machines, ensuring a smoother process for voters abroad,” Shekerletova said, reflecting on efforts to streamline voting procedures for Bulgarians living overseas.
Key Focus on Voting Machines
The Central Election Commission has already received the necessary voting machines for the election. In a statement issued by the government, officials confirmed that the machines are undergoing authentication to guarantee they meet security and operational standards.
The integration of voting machines in select polling stations abroad aims to minimize human error, reduce waiting times, and ensure that the results are quickly tabulated.
In the June 2024 early parliamentary elections, Bulgaria set up 769 polling stations across 60 countries. Turkey hosted the largest number of polling stations with 166, followed by the United Kingdom with 118, and Germany with 103.
A similar distribution is anticipated for the October elections, although the final count will be determined after the CEC concludes its assessment of all submitted applications.
Overseas Voting Rules
Under Bulgaria’s election law, polling stations abroad are primarily established within diplomatic and consular missions. However, additional stations may be opened in locations where at least 40 applications have been submitted in advance.
While submitting an application is not mandatory for voters, it helps election authorities organize and allocate resources to polling stations where there is higher demand.
The deadline for Bulgarians abroad to apply for polling station openings expired on October 1 at midnight. The number of polling stations abroad could change slightly as applications are reviewed.
Voting stations will be set up not only in Europe but across a broad range of countries with Bulgarian expatriate communities, spanning from the United States and Canada to Australia.
Finalization of Polling Station Locations
The Central Election Commission will finalize the locations and total number of polling stations to be opened by October 5.
This step is essential to ensuring that Bulgarian citizens abroad have sufficient access to voting facilities in their respective countries of residence.
For the upcoming election, the government has prioritized both in-person voting at stations abroad and the use of voting machines to facilitate a smooth election process.
As more Bulgarians engage in overseas voting, these elections will serve as another test of the country’s growing use of modern voting technologies.
As the October 27 election day approaches, Bulgarians abroad will wait for the final confirmation of polling stations, with government officials focused on ensuring the integrity and accessibility of the voting process for all citizens, regardless of their location.