- Parliamentary forces were divided over whether only individual sacks should be opened or all of them
- On November 13, the deadline for submitting appeals to the Constitutional Court expires, the new deputies have two days to collect signatures for the Constitutional Court
All 2.5 million voters must be sure that their vote is counted correctly. We are making a constitutional demand that all precincts be recounted and the votes properly counted.
With this request, “Continuing the change – Democratic Bulgaria” announced that it will appeal to the Constitutional Court for a full review of how the votes in the elections were counted.
In addition, the coalition will secure signatures for absolutely every other complaint against the elections in the Constitutional Court, announced co-chairman Asen Vassilev. In this way, it will be certain that the SC will consider absolutely all complaints against “this controversial election process that happened”, he added.
Atanas Atanasov announced that the verification of all sectional results will decide “whether there is a need for a new staff of the National Assembly, i.e. whether there are changes in the composition announced by the CEC”.
In the PP-DB complaint, it will be described that in nearly 5,000 sections there are more than 5% invalid ballots, and thousands of votes are missing from the flash cards – the SIC counted less than those stored in the machines. ”We also saw violations through the video surveillance, some of them are crimes. Votes are recorded for neighboring parties. Changes at the last moment lead to commissions completely controlled by one party,” Bozhidar Bojanov said.
Nikolay Denkov believes that on the election day there was a very serious pressure on people to cast their vote. A clear indication was the comparison between the DPS and APS results against the previous DPS results. “There are two options. One is that Peevski is so sympathetic to the electorate that when he separated from DPS, he raised a wave of voters to support him. There is sufficient reliable evidence that this is not the case. The explanation remains that through a controlled, corporate vote, through mayors and threats, through financial instruments, he secured an advantage”, insisted the former prime minister. “That’s why we want her to be isolated from making the important decisions – forming a government, chairman of the National Assembly, leadership of committees. Because her results are based on a distorted vote,” said Denkov.
The first, so far, ready complaint for a complete liquidation by BOEP was sent electronically on Monday to all institutions that can appeal to the court – the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court. It was submitted by the right-wing activist Metodi Lalov, who, in his capacity as a lawyer, submitted a complaint-demand from Ivan Sotirov from “Blue Bulgaria”, Hristo Edrev and Antonina Grekova from PP. It will also be delivered to i.f. Chief Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov and President Rumen Radev, who also questioned the fairness of the vote, but did not undertake to appeal to the Supreme Court. But if the addressees do not react, the civil association has no leverage to turn to the SC.
1/5 of the deputies can do it – that is, 48 signatures are needed. The APS of Ahmed Dogan and the MECH of Radostin Vassilev demanded a complete counting of votes.
Partially – on the results in the sections where the media proved a discrepancy between the counting and the results in the “Velichie” protocols, Slavi Trifonov requested. He was previously supported by PP-DB.
There are also interpretations as to whether the still acting MPs from the 50th National Assembly or the newly elected ones from the 51st National Assembly should turn to the court. According to lawyers, those elected in both bodies can, but the old ones – before their powers are terminated, and the new ones – after taking the oath. The convening of the parliament announced by Radev on November 11 gives the new ones time to do so, but their deadline is November 13.
“Confidence in Parliament depends on their actions to support the integrity of the vote. Therefore, the referral to the SC is their chance – the parties’ to strengthen this trust in the parliament,” commented the president. “My actions will depend on what real steps and whether the parties will take in the National Assembly,” he specified.
“I do not comment on the political declarations of the parties, but I would support any effort in the direction of strengthening parliamentarism and democracy,” added the head of state.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we dive deep into the pressing issues shaping our world today. With us is political expert Dr. Elena Georgieva, who has been closely following the recent elections and the subsequent controversies in Bulgaria. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Georgieva.
Dr. Georgieva: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s start with the recent elections. There seems to be a significant divide among parliamentary forces on how to handle election complaints. Why do you think there is such contention over whether to open individual ballot sacks or all of them?
Dr. Georgieva: That’s a critical question. The division primarily stems from varying beliefs about transparency and legitimacy in the electoral process. Those advocating for opening all sacks argue that it would allow for comprehensive verification, ensuring that every vote is accounted for. Conversely, others may fear that such a move could lead to further controversies, questioning the outcome even more.
Editor: Interesting. On November 13, the deadline for appealing to the Constitutional Court will lapse. What impact do you believe this deadline could have on the current political landscape?
Dr. Georgieva: The deadline is pivotal. It highlights the urgency for political coalitions, such as “Continuing the change – Democratic Bulgaria,” to act quickly. They aim to gather signatures for a comprehensive review of the election results, which could have significant implications on the composition of the National Assembly. If the court accepts their appeals, it might lead to a recount and potentially alter the dynamics within parliament.
Editor: Speaking of the coalition, Asen Vassilev suggested that they’d be securing signatures for every complaint related to the election. How likely is it that these complaints will be taken seriously by the Constitutional Court?
Dr. Georgieva: The court generally takes electoral complaints seriously, especially when public trust is at stake. If they manage to gather enough signatures—48 are needed from deputies—there’s a substantial likelihood that the complaints will prompt an investigation into the alleged irregularities. Given the gravity of the accusations, if validated, it would pose severe consequences for those implicated.
Editor: There have been alarming reports about the validity of votes, particularly regarding invalid ballots and discrepancies in recorded votes. How do these allegations shape the narrative surrounding these elections?
Dr. Georgieva: These allegations cast a shadow over the entire electoral process. The claim of over 5,000 sections with more than 5% invalid ballots raises questions about the integrity of the voting system. Moreover, reports of surveillance footage showing potential misconduct only exacerbate public concern. This narrative of mistrust can be detrimental, not only to the electoral institutions but also to the overall democratic process.
Editor: Nikolay Denkov’s comments on pressure during the election highlight another layer of complexity. Do you think this reflects a broader pattern of electoral manipulation in Bulgaria?
Dr. Georgieva: Absolutely. Denkov’s assertion aligns with growing concerns about “controlled voting” and coercion during elections. Such tactics create an uneven playing field and erode the democratic principle of free choice. If left unaddressed, they undermine the credibility of elected officials and the institutions they represent, fueling public disillusionment and skepticism.
Editor: with figures like Metodi Lalov and others actively pursuing legal action, do you foresee any immediate changes following these developments?
Dr. Georgieva: It’s difficult to predict immediate changes, but the fact that these complaints are being filed indicates a potential shift toward accountability. If the court decides to take action, it could lead to a full investigation, impacting the political landscape significantly. The public’s reaction to these proceedings will also play a crucial role in future electoral dynamics, shaping both political rhetoric and governance in Bulgaria.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Georgieva. Your insights help illuminate the complexities of Bulgaria’s current political situation. It will be interesting to see how these developments unfold in the coming weeks.
Dr. Georgieva: Thank you for the discussion. I look forward to seeing how the judiciary handles these critical issues.