site.btaDebates, Surveys, Seminars to Tackle Distrust in Elections

Through debates with members of parliament, educational meetings, and online surveys, non-governmental organizations will engage citizens in the country’s political processes and work to restore their understanding that voting is important. The activities are part of the Cast Your Vote national campaign, organized by Networks in Action, the National Development Network, and the League of Young Voters, National Development Network Chair Chavdar Vlachkov announced at a press conference at the Bulgarian News Agency’s National Press Club in Sofia on Wednesday. The initiative does not support any political parties or candidates, the organizers emphasized.

The campaign aims to restore voting as a conscious, informed, and long-term civic commitment, Miroslav Tsekov from the Citizen Participation Forum and a representative of the Networks in Action project said. According to him, it is important to understand why people choose not to vote, what barriers they face, what discourages them, and what drives their interest in public life. Tsekov stated that public debate must return its focus to policies, and that rebuilding trust in elections requires clear, open, and substantive dialogue.

Party representatives will be part of the debates, they will be open to anyone who wishes to participate, Victoria Trifonova, part of the management board of the National Youth Forum, said. She explained that the goal is to bring citizens closer to those who may later represent them, giving people the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from political actors. Discussions will cover topics related to youth policies, young people, and their civic participation. Debates will be held in various towns and cities across the country, she added.

As part of the campaign, seminars will be organized focusing on practical skills such as media literacy, political communication styles, and public speaking, National Youth Forum Chair and League of Young Voters representative Atanas Radev said. These events will also take place in different regions nationwide. The aim is to gather insight into the specific characteristics and challenges of different municipalities, Radev added. 
A nationwide survey is planned to test the hypothesis that low voter turnout is not a result of apathy, but rather a reflection of distrust in political representation and accumulated systemic shortcomings, Vlachkov said. "We want to make it clear that people are active, but many do not believe that voting leads to meaningful change," he added.

The survey will also examine political rhetoric and communication, as well as youth policies. In addition, a national online campaign will focus on elections and citizens’ democratic rights, Tsekov said.