Preparations for Sunday's elections in Sungurlare are on track, with no signs of voter pressure, according to the Burgas Election Commission (RIK). The arrest of Mayor Dimitar Gavazov has not disrupted the process, officials said.

„We have no data on voter pressure, no signals of that kind,“ said Georgi Mihov, head of the commission. He said there is no evidence of mass changes to polling station committees in the municipality. Training for staff has finished, and the town has enough people to handle election papers. Mihov said everything is calm.

Police have charged three people with criminal conspiracy to trade in influence: Gavazov, Belitsa Mayor Radoslav Revanski, and the local DPS leader in Burgas, Hristo Shirokov. Revanski is also in custody.

Deputy Mayor Habibe Kodzayisuf will take over Gavazov's duties for now. RIK-Burgas said the mayor had already signed an order appointing her.

Turnout in Sungurlare and Belitsa is expected to be low.

Dimka Chaneva, the mayor of Lozarevo village, said people think Gavazov's arrest was wrong. When asked if she will vote, she told BNT: „I guess not. I hope 30% show up, but I am not sure if that many will.“ One resident of Sungurlare is still unsure if they will vote, while another local woman who always votes will serve on a polling station committee this time.

Belitsa appointed a new deputy mayor two days after Revanski's arrest. The former deputy, Sabit Gagum, is currently acting as mayor. Local staff are still dealing with the stress, but officials say the election is being organized normally.

Municipal Secretary Iliyaz Dagonov said everything is ready and on schedule. Election books and materials for the 17 polling stations in Belitsa are ready and will be handed over to committees tomorrow.

RIK-Blagoevgrad said four members of polling station committees from several parties were replaced in Belitsa today. Committee chair Yoana Stefanova Lozanova-Palankova said these changes will not affect the election. She said yesterday's events did not affect the vote „in any way.“ She added that books were delivered to the municipalities yesterday and everything arrived on time.

Many people in Belitsa support their mayor and do not plan to vote. One pensioner said residents are worried about Revanski, so turnout in Belitsa and Yakoruda will be very low. She said people like the mayor because he fixed the streets. Other pensioners said they will not vote, and she has not decided yet.

In Petrich, officials replaced 110 committee members today, and problems are expected there. Lozanova-Palankova said the changes were made after training in the municipality finished.