Bulgaria police log 168 election violation reports, 143 on vote buying
Bulgaria's Interior Ministry has received 168 reports of electoral violations since the presidential campaign began and opened six criminal cases. Police in Razgrad are checking new reports.
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Bulgaria's Interior Ministry said it had received 168 reports of electoral law violations as of 2 p.m. on Saturday since the start of the campaign for president and vice president. Of those, 143 concern alleged vote buying, six unlawful campaigning, one so-called corporate voting, in which employers pressure staff, and 18 other irregularities.
Six criminal investigations have been opened, two of them as fast-track proceedings. Police issued 1,226 formal warnings and carried out 180 special operations nationwide. In early October, the ministry had reported one investigation and 56 warnings.
On Saturday's day of electoral silence, police in Razgrad are checking two new reports, one of suspected vote buying in favour of a party and one of possible document fraud. The files were sent to prosecutors; no arrests or charges have been reported. Bulgarians elect their head of state on Sunday.