Justice minister Nikolay Naydenov met Venice Commission rapporteurs in Sofia to discuss ways around a constitutional barrier to voting by prisoners and people placed under guardianship. The constitution bans both groups from voting outright, the ministry said.

Naydenov asked the rapporteurs what options exist and how other countries handle the issue. Deputy minister Irena Borisova and ministry experts joined him. The commission's deputy chair, Eirik Holmøyvik, led the rapporteurs.

The Venice Commission, officially the European Commission for Democracy through Law, advises the Council of Europe on human rights. It is now comparing the rules in other countries.

The ministry asked for its advice because it must carry out European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) rulings against Bulgaria. The rulings come from two groups of cases: "Kulinski and Sabev", on the right of prisoners to vote, and "Anatoliy Marinov", on the right to vote of people under partial guardianship.

The ECHR says the convention is breached when the right to vote is removed automatically, without looking at a person's individual situation. The ministry says the Constitutional Court turned down a request to interpret the ban because the text is clear and a binding interpretation cannot change it.

"Bulgaria is firmly committed to respecting human rights and to carrying out ECHR rulings effectively," Naydenov said. He thanked the commission for again letting the ministry draw on its expertise and experience in constitutional matters. He added that the ministry has put great effort into the problem in recent years.

"The challenge for us is to find a balanced and legally sound solution," the minister said. He said the solution must meet the standards of the convention and take account of the particular features of the groups of citizens affected. For that reason, he said, the commission's opinion and its comparative analysis will be very useful.

Holmøyvik said he was grateful that the subject is up for discussion and that people are looking for the best options.

While in Sofia, the rapporteurs will also meet the parliamentary groups in the 52nd National Assembly, the Central Election Commission and the ombudsman. The commission is due to adopt its report with recommendations at a plenary session in December.

Last week the justice minister spoke with the French ambassador about judicial reform and future legal and constitutional changes in Bulgaria.