Police detained 20 people today in a special operation by Sofia regional police ahead of the 25 October election. Officers checked 878 vehicles and 1,112 people, police said.

The operation began at 6am with help from gendarmerie teams. Its main aim is to stop crimes against citizens' political rights, but officers are also tackling general crime, public order and road safety.

Police inspected 40 commercial sites, 16 casinos, 21 quick-loan offices and 18 pawnshops. Cameras caught 225 speeding offences, and officers drew up 34 penalty reports and issued 283 on-the-spot tickets.

Police also drew up 37 warning reports under articles 167-169g of the Criminal Code, which cover crimes against political rights.

On 16 October we reported that five people were detained in a police raid in the Pobeda district of Burgas. Officers were looking for organised groups that buy votes before the election, and checking who sells drugs in the area.

Interior ministry data shows that from the start of the election campaign until 9am today, police ran 172 special operations across Bulgaria against such crimes. They received 115 reports of breaches of election law and opened 4 criminal cases under articles 167-169g.