site.btaProsecutor Organization Proposes Measures for Reporting Pressure, Interference in Election of Supreme Judicial Council

The Independent Association of Bulgarian Prosecutors (IABP) proposed that the rules for conducting elections of members of the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) include the creation of a special mechanism for reporting pressure and interference. This is laid out in a statement by the organization on Thursday.

The association proposes a confidential channel, immediate verification by a designated competent authority and protection of magistrates who report in good faith from adverse consequences. The IABP considers it important to have an "explicit prohibition on the use of official, administrative or personnel dependence to influence the vote – through direct or indirect instructions for voting, requiring information about the intentions or selection of magistrates or binding them to personnel and organizational decisions".

The organization also raises the question of the prohibition on "negative campaigning against another candidate in any form". According to the association, the rule should clearly distinguish between an unscrupulous discrediting attack and a legitimate professional criticism of the concept, professional experience, management decisions, public behavior or suitability of the candidate for a member of the SJC.

"A transparent count guarantees that the vote cast will be counted correctly. Free choice requires guarantees that this vote was formed without pressure, fear or dependence," the organization's statement also says.

The IABP defines the upcoming election of a new SJC as an opportunity to restore trust in professional self-governance.

The procedure for electing the new SJC was opened with the adoption on June 26 by the National Assembly of amendments to the Judicial System Act.