Bulgarian citizens abroad can now download the applications required for voting from the Central Election Commission (CEC) website, with the deadline for their submission being September 29. The preparation process for the October 25 elections has also progressed with the approval of the lists for establishing polling stations.
CEC spokesperson Stoyanka Balova-Tsvetkova explained during a briefing that the Commission has approved the list provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of a total of 100 diplomatic missions—embassies, general consulates, and consulates—where, by law, voting should take place. In determining the locations, the CEC has fully complied with the MFA's recommendations not to open sections where there are obstacles such as military conflicts, inexpediency, or serious security risks. According to Balova-Tsvetkova, the current network of polling stations is similar to that of the parliamentary elections held on April 19, with Syria and Ukraine appearing on the list of countries excluded due to active hostilities.
In addition to diplomatic centers, the CEC also approved the opening of 262 official polling stations for countries where the criteria are met. These points are located outside embassies and are based on an activity criterion, as each has been visited by 100 or more voters over the past five years. The distribution of these 262 locations includes:
- 75 locations in Germany;
- 56 locations in Spain;
- 22 locations in Italy;
- 22 locations in the Netherlands;
- 18 locations in Greece;
- 13 locations in Belgium;
- 13 locations in France.