The election campaign for the vote on October 25, 2026, is shaping up to be an intense process, with strict conditions for its conduct already in place. The agitation period begins at midnight on September 25 and will continue until midnight on October 23. Central Election Commission (CEC) spokesperson Stoyanka Balova-Tsvetkova emphasized that candidates from coalitions, parties, and initiative committees have the right to equal access to information sources, and the campaign must be conducted in Bulgarian. As part of the awareness campaign, running under the slogan "Your voice, your choice," the CEC will focus its efforts on social media (Facebook and Instagram) with videos and images explaining the voting steps and voter rights.

Regarding technical readiness, the CEC already has 200 machines for demonstrating the demo software, and a second application is expected after September 25. To assist citizens, a special "Questions and Answers" section is being prepared on the Commission's website and in the "eProtocol" application. Concurrently, providers of print, media, and online services are required by September 14 (no later than 40 days before election day) to provide equal prices and conditions for all candidates, publishing them publicly and submitting them to the National Audit Office and the CEC.

At present, interest in participating in the elections is significant. Five political entities have already been registered:

  • "Vazrazhdane"
  • "The Right"
  • "Movement for Rights and Freedoms"
  • "Bulgarian Social Democracy – Euroleft"
  • People's Party "The Truth and Nothing But the Truth"

In addition to them, the registry also includes an initiative committee for the nomination of Lachezar Avramov as an independent presidential candidate and Ivaylo Drazhev for vice president. Seven more parties and five committees are awaiting document verification before they can be cleared by the CEC to appear on the ballot. The deadlines are fixed: the period for parties and coalitions expires tomorrow at 5:00 p.m., and September 14 at 5:00 p.m. is the limit for initiative committees.

Along with the administrative work, Balova-Tsvetkova recalled the main regulations for campaigning. The use of religious symbols, the coat of arms of Bulgaria or foreign countries, as well as campaigning that damages the reputation of candidates or violates public decency, is prohibited. The use of state or municipal transport is unacceptable, and the placement of materials on buildings and shop windows requires the owner's consent. Before election day, media campaigning must cease, and every material must include the mandatory slogan "Buying and selling votes is a crime." In case of violations, reports should be submitted to mayors and District Election Commissions (RIC).

The organizational framework also includes the district election commissions appointed last week, which have been working since September 5. Stoyanka Balova-Tsvetkova clarified that the CEC has adopted detailed rules for the registration of candidate lists, including requirements for documents and certificates. Regarding the eligibility of candidates, she recalled the legal criteria: Bulgarian citizens by birth, without dual citizenship, at least 40 years of age, who have not served a prison sentence and have resided in the country for the last five years, have the right to be elected. An important clarification is that independent candidates cannot participate in party lists, and the presidential pair is entitled to re-election for only one additional term.