Sofia Refutes Reports Serbia Hindering Bulgarian Voting Polls

The spokesperson of the Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Vesela Cherneva, is surprised by the record low number of voting registration applications from Bulgarians in Germany. Photo by BGNES

Serbia and Canada have not denied permission for Bulgaria to open voting polls there, according to the spokesperson of the Bulgarian Foreign Affairs Ministry, Vesela Cherneva.

Cherneva's statement dismissed an earlier report of RTV, (Radio and Television Vojvodina), informing that Bulgarians in Serbia will only be able to vote at the diplomatic mission in Belgrade because the Serbian government had not allowed the opening of voting polls in Bosilegrad and Dimitrovgrad even though a large number of people living in those communities have double citizenship – Bulgarian and Serbian.

The spokesperson explained Sofia is still awaiting an official notification from both Serbia and Canada, but the Canadian side have given assurances they will do everything possible to have a voting poll in Montreal. She said that the Foreign Ministry will immediately inform the Central Electoral Commission, CEK, after receiving these notifications.

Cherneva voiced surprise from the record low number of voting registration applications from Bulgarians in Germany, having in mind there is substantial Bulgarian diaspora in the country.

She reminded that according to the Election Code, 20 applications are needed in order to open a voting poll in a country where Bulgaria has a Consular Office or diplomatic representation, while where there is no such representation, the number of required applications is 100.

Bulgarians abroad have the right to vote on October 23 to elect the country's new president.