Police in Sliven and Vratsa regions are continuing special operations against election law violations and crimes against people's political rights, the Interior Ministry said. Officers have also stepped up checks on conventional crime.

Sliven police have run 16 special operations since 28 September. They have drawn up 18 warning notices under the Interior Ministry Act and are looking into one report linked to the coming elections. No pre-trial proceedings have yet been opened for offences under articles 167 to 169 of the Criminal Code.

Police are also working with people believed to influence local communities. The aim is to prevent controlled and corporate voting.

Since the start of the week, district police departments in Sliven, Nova Zagora, Kotel and Tvarditsa have been running a large operation. Officers are checking known offenders, cars, pawn shops, gaming halls and quick-loan firms.

The operation has led to 10 pre-trial proceedings for drug possession and dealing, theft, illegal logging and other crimes. Ten people have been detained. Police also found six people wanted nationwide and uncovered cases of illegal broadcasting and extortion.

In Sliven, police issued 67 penalty reports and 704 on-the-spot fines for traffic offences.

In Vratsa region, the district police department in Byala Slatina ran a special operation on 22 October against election violations and crimes against political rights. Officers checked 44 people and 36 cars and issued one penalty report and 6 fines under the Road Traffic Act.

Police also carried out extra operations and checks around Kozloduy and Oryahovo. Officers there checked a total of 44 people and 36 cars and issued 4 penalty reports and 28 fines, including electronic ones.

On 16 October, police carried out a special operation in the Pobeda district of Burgas, in which five people were detained. Officers were looking for organised groups that buy votes and so influence the coming elections.

The ministry said its work to ensure a lawful election and to fight crime will continue.