site.btaUPDATED 27 Parties and Coalitions Apply for April 19 Elections

A total of 27 political formations submitted documents to the Central Election Commission to register for participation in the snap parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19, the Commission said on Wednesday. The deadline for parties and coalitions to file applications for registration to take part in the April vote expired at 5:00 p.m.

The Commission has received registration documents from 15 parties and 12 coalitions.

The political entities that have submitted documents to the CEC are as follows: My Country Bulgaria Coalition, GERB-UDF Coalition, Saprotiva [Resistance] Party, There Is Such a People Party, The Truth and Nothing but the Truth People's Party, Vazrazhdane Party, Velichie Party, Treti Mart [March 3] Coalition, Defiant Bulgaria National Movement Party, Party of the Greens, Blue Bulgaria Coalition, Direct Democracy Party, BSP – United Left Coalition, Movement for Rights and Freedoms Party, Progressive Bulgaria Coalition, Bulgaria Can Party, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms Coalition, Out of the EU and NATO Coalition, Pravoto [The Law] party, Siyanie [Radiance] Coalition, Nation Party, The Anti-Corruption Bloc Coalition, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria Coalition, Movement of Non-Party Candidates Party, Morality, Unity and Honour Party, Glas Naroden [People’s Voice] Party, and Prosperous Bulgaria Coalition (initially registered as Support Radev Coalition).

Parties and coalitions have three days to appeal the decision of the Central Election Commission if they are refused registration. Earlier on Wednesday, the CEC announced that it had refused registration to two formations, Out of the EU and NATO Coalition and Prosperous Bulgaria Coalition.

If a court of law overturns a refusal for registration, the CEC must fulfil the court’s order and register for participation in the elections the parties and coalitions in question by March 14. Until that date, the CEC may make changes to the composition of a registered coalition, if a party withdraws, or if new parties join the coalition and/or when the coalition’s name is changed.

The deadline for parties or coalitions to request the cancellation of their registration to participate in the elections expires on March 17.

The lot with the parties' and coalitions' ballot numbers will be drawn on March 18.