Bulgarian Roma Youth Launch Anti Vote Buying Campaign

Bulgarian Roma are alleged to be mass vote sellers at election time and young educated ones are now attempting to stop the vicious practice. File photo by BGNES

About fifty young Roma are launching a campaign to convince their fellow citizens to not sell their vote in the May 12 snap general elections.

All of these "emissaries" have college degrees and some are interns in the Parliament.

They will tour the Roma quarters and call on residents to cast ballots for their favorites, instead of voting for money or some goods.

Bulgarian caretaker Prime Minister, Marin Raykov, voiced strong opposition of the vicious circle of vote buying, saying one vote costs much more that the amount offered for it.

Meanwhile, a man alleged to be a "vote merchant" was arrested in the northwestern city of Vratsa.