New judicial council: 1,567 Bulgarian prosecutors elect four members today

A day before Bulgaria's presidential election, the country's prosecutors are casting ballots of their own. Since 8 a.m., they have been choosing their four members of a new Supreme Judicial Council in 29 polling sections, one in each regional town and three in Sofia. According to the council, 1,567 prosecutors are eligible to vote by secret paper ballot until 6 p.m., choosing from 25 candidates. Results and the names of those elected are due by 11 p.m.

The vote is valid only if more than half of those eligible take part, the daily Sega reported; otherwise a new round will be held on Sunday, when 33% turnout suffices. Candidates need more than half of the valid votes to win. For the first time, the opening of ballot boxes and the count are being recorded on video and streamed live on the council's website; if the recording fails, counting stops for up to 30 minutes.

The current council's mandate expired back in 2022, BNT reported. The body has 25 members, 11 of them elected by parliament. Judges vote for their six representatives on Nov. 7 and investigators for one seat on Nov. 21, while the parliamentary quota is still pending. Among other tasks, the new council is expected to choose a new prosecutor general.