Citizens have protested in front of the National Assembly in Sofia chanting “Resign” and “Stop the Tricks.” Protesters called against compulsory voting, the lack of a separate constituency abroad and against the new obstacles created for Bulgarian citizens abroad who wished to vote. They also protested against the ban on conducting referendums and elections simultaneously and against rashly introduced electronic voting. People protested against a newly introduced sanction, too – if a citizen missed to cast their vote at two consecutive elections of the same type (presidential, parliamentary, local, or European), they would be sanctioned by being delisted from the electoral rolls. After that citizens will have to file a request at the municipality in order to be included back in the electoral rolls.
Protesters carried a big banner reading “Citizens against Mafia” and posters reading “Time’s up.” Desislava Hristova from the “Vote without Borders” initiative committee was a participant in the protest. Here is what she told Radio Bulgaria:
"I am protesting mainly against closing of polling stations outside diplomatic and consular representations of Bulgaria abroad. This will affect Bulgarians in Western Europe, USA and Australia where distance between polling stations is immense. I am protesting against stopping the plans for opening a separate constituency abroad. I am also against compulsory voting, as voting is a choice, not an obligation. Excluding people from the lists will affect not only people abroad but also young people who have never voted, as well as people living in remote locations. If they got excluded from the lists they might never vote again. Compulsory voting would not solve the problems of the election system in this country. The Election Code before the changes had a number of good sides. In recent years, positive changes have taken place in respect to the polling stations abroad. Electronic voting should be introduced gradually and it would be a positive step as everyone would be able to vote, no matter their location.”
Armed with a megaphone Kiril Chukanov of Civil Pressure Movement said:
"We protest against the code’s perversion. We are living in an absolutely scandalous reality. This is absurd. I do not know whether I live in a democratic country, part of the European Union, or in some anti-utopian reality anymore. They have apparently decided that Bulgarians abroad are not entitled to voting. Drastic limitations have been introduced. Compulsory voting reminds me of an authoritarian regime. Politicians hope that people will keep quiet about this but that would not happen."
Bulgarian citizens abroad also gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the changes in the Election Code, saying voting only in diplomatic and consular missions of Bulgaria abroad would hamper the process. Part of protesters downtown Sofia also called against the planned 60-percent rise of the price of tickets for public transport in the Bulgarian capital city.
English: Alexander Markov
