site.btaGERB-UDF Opposes Return to Machine-Only Voting System

The mixed system of machine voting and paper ballots works, and we believe it is a good system for holding future elections, GERB-UDF MP Stefan Arsov said on the sidelines of Parliament on Wednesday.

"We will oppose the section on mixed voting in Progressive Bulgaria's proposals for amendments to the Election Code," Arsov added. Progressive Bulgaria came to power with this form of voting - paper ballots and machines, the MP said, noting that amending the Code should not be a major issue.

"We will submit an inquiry to the Foreign Ministry and the Central Election Commission to show that 50% of the Bulgarian population voted on paper and 50% via machine," Arsov said.

In response to a question about the removal of the 20 voting sections limit in non-EU countries, GERB-UDF MP Krasimir Terziev said that there is an upcoming Foreign Ministry report and based on the data, an assessment of this decision will be made.

On Tuesday, Progressive Bulgaria proposed amendments to the Election Code, which include reinstating machine-only voting as it was in 2021, eliminating the Multimember Constituency Abroad, and removing the limit of 20 voting sections in countries that are not EU Member States.