MFA: No problems with voting abroad, polling stations are open

There are no reports of problems with the vote abroad, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) aims to organize fair elections. This was stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Rado Naydenov at a briefing in the ministry building regarding the voting outside the country.

This year, the lawmakers imposed certain restrictions on the number of polling stations outside the country. Where there were more people wishing to vote, the MFA made an effort, where conditions allowed in our diplomatic and consular missions, to open more sections so as to facilitate the conduct of the elections today, Naydenov pointed out.

At the beginning of the year, Parliament adopted amendments to the Electoral Code, which limited the number of polling stations outside our diplomatic and consular missions in countries that are not members of the European Union to 20.

Rado Naydenov stated that he would welcome every Bulgarian citizen who participates in the electoral process.

There is a readiness to extend the election day where necessary. We will do the optimal, which is possible, according to local practice, Naydenov said. The largest Bulgarian communities are in the UK, USA, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Greece and Cyprus, but it is not mandatory for the size of the community to be related to the number of those wishing to vote, Naydenov pointed out.

According to him, where there is a larger Bulgarian community, it is normal to have a gathering of people. There has always been a gathering of people in Turkey, there have always been many voters, but not only there, but also in the UK, USA and Germany. Let's not scare people with the fact that there are gatherings and queues, let's encourage them to vote, that's more important, urged the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The first polling stations opened in New Zealand and Australia, and the election day has already begun throughout Europe, Naydenov noted. 

The Deputy Minister reminded that there are no polling stations in countries with military actions.

Boryana Stoynova from the “Elections” working group at the MFA showed the map of the polling stations outside the country and the list with their addresses. I appeal to get acquainted with the information about the addresses, as there may be a difference with the places where sections were formed in the previous elections. Bulgarian citizens who have not submitted a prior application for voting outside the country can vote in a section and country of their choice, Stoynova explained.

Rado Naydenov also addressed people with an interest in foreign policy and urged them to follow the announcements for the competitions of the MFA, because there is a need for quality young people.