Before the vote: election commission meets observers from more than 14 countries
The focus was on the security of the voting machines. The CIK assures that transparency and integrity of the vote are guaranteed by clear and open procedures.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
Bulgaria's Central Election Commission (CIK) received international election observers shortly before the presidential election. On Friday it met representatives of the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), and on Thursday observers from Electio Lab, BNT and bTV reported. Participants came from countries including the United States, Belgium, Norway, Italy, Germany, Spain, Slovakia, Portugal, Hungary, Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Argentina and South Africa. Preparations for the election and measures to ensure a lawful and honest vote were discussed.
The focus was on the security of machine voting, including certification of the software and a trusted process for building the source code. Following amendments to the Electoral Code, machines will be used in all polling stations with more than 300 voters. The commission said all necessary measures for effective, secure and reliable implementation had been taken. "The transparency and integrity of the vote are guaranteed by clear and open procedures," it said. An information campaign is aimed in particular at people with disabilities and first-time voters.