Bulgaria by-elections: villages turn out in force, Polski Trambesh lags at 10%

Turnout varied sharply on Sunday afternoon in by-elections for mayor in 14 Bulgarian localities. In the village of Yavorovo near Stara Zagora, 209 of 292 eligible voters had cast ballots by 4 p.m., nearly 72%, the BTA news agency reported, citing the local election commission. The vote was called after the incumbent mayor stepped down early for health reasons.

Interest was also high in the Sliven region, where turnout stood at 65% in Sadiysko Pole and 48% in Trapoklovo at 4 p.m., public broadcaster BNT reported, with no complaints of violations so far. Local media put turnout in the village of Malorad at around 47%. In Malo Konare near Pazardzhik, only 265 of 3,109 registered voters had voted, under 9%.

Turnout was lowest in the only municipality choosing a mayor. In Polski Trambesh, 1,114 of 10,573 eligible voters, or 10.54%, had voted by 4 p.m. The sole candidate is independent Rosen Rusanov. Long-time mayor Georgi Chakarov now sits in parliament for Progressive Bulgaria. Any run-offs will be held on Oct. 25, alongside the presidential election.