site.btaCC-DB: Restricting Bulgarians' Right to Vote Is Violation of Constitution

Restricting the right to vote of Bulgarian citizens is a violation of the Constitution, the Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria (CC–DB) coalition said in a declaration read by CC-DB co-Floor Leader Nadejda Iordanova in Parliament on Thursday.

She called on MPs to honour their oath of office, recalling that on November 11, 2024, all members of the 51st National Assembly swore to observe the Constitution and act in the interests of the people. Iordanova warned that what is shaping up to happen in the coming days would amount to violating the basic law and the interests of the people. “Restricting the right to vote, restricting the democratic rights of Bulgarian citizens, constitutes a violation of the Constitution and of the interests of the people,“ she added.

“When the law is used to punish people for thinking differently, we are turning the clock back decades. Because when a Bulgarian citizen, wherever they may be in the world, is prevented from voting, democracy is violated. Collectively, you are trying to silence the voices of dissent,” the declaration says.

“We will stand firm and defend the right of every Bulgarian citizen to vote and to have their vote counted correctly,” Iordanova said on behalf of CC-DB. “We will insist that the rights of those who think like us be respected, as well as the rights of our opponents. Because we believe this is the democratic rule of law. Because the rights of Bulgarian citizens are not for sale and cannot be the subject of shadowy political deals,” Iordanova added.

On Wednesday, the parliamentary Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs approved, at first reading, a proposal to allow up to 20 voting sections outside Bulgarian diplomatic missions in non-EU countries.