By 2:00 p.m. on election day, the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a significant uptick in allegations of vote-buying, receiving a total of 259 reports, including nine submitted in the last hour alone.
In response to these concerning activities, authorities have initiated 70 pre-trial proceedings and detained 36 individuals, as confirmed by Acting Minister of Internal Affairs, Atanas Ilkov, during a press briefing.
Ilkov provided an update on the ministry’s ongoing efforts to combat crimes that undermine the political rights of citizens. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding electoral integrity in Bulgaria, especially amid heightened concerns regarding corrupt practices in the electoral process.
In addition to addressing vote-buying, investigations have uncovered a disturbing trend involving illegal logging operations in the regions of Smolyan and Kardzhali. “Yesterday, we found trucks involved in illegal wood acquisition in Smolyan and Kardzhali.
These vehicles are non-operational and decommissioned. It appears that this wood might be used to persuade citizens to vote for a specific political party,” Ilkov revealed.
He noted that in some instances, authorities seized cash, lists, documents, and other evidence related to violations of the Electoral Code.
The data from law enforcement indicates a notable increase in citizen engagement regarding vote-buying reports compared to the previous summer elections.
During the ongoing ministry briefing, two additional reports were submitted, bringing the total to 261. This marks an increase from the 184 reports filed during the last elections, highlighting a growing awareness and willingness among citizens to report such activities.
“There are currently 261 signals, up from 184 during the last elections, indicating a rise in civic engagement against vote-buying.
Operations have also increased, with more specialized interventions and individuals being investigated,” stated Ilkov.
He further emphasized that the 36 detained individuals were apprehended across various regions, and further analysis is underway to explore potential connections among them.
The Ministry’s proactive stance in addressing these issues aims to ensure a fair electoral process and reinforce public trust in the integrity of elections.
Ilkov’s briefing serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Bulgarian authorities in tackling vote-buying and other electoral malpractices.
The ministry’s comprehensive approach, involving both law enforcement and citizen cooperation, is crucial in creating a transparent electoral environment.
As the day progresses, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with the expectation that additional reports may emerge.
The commitment to addressing these issues highlights the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring that every citizen’s vote is cast without coercion or influence.
The heightened vigilance and enforcement measures signal a decisive effort by Bulgarian authorities to protect the electoral process and uphold the democratic rights of its citizens.
As the nation moves forward with its electoral process, the actions taken today will undoubtedly shape the future of Bulgaria’s political landscape.