site.btaPolling Day Begins in Calm Atmosphere

Polling day in Bulgaria began in a calm atmosphere at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday, the Interior Ministry reported. The country is conducting early parliamentary elections, the fourth vote to the National Assembly in a year and a half.

No serious violations of public order were registered before the beginning of the elections, according to the press release.

People are asked to call 02/9011298 at any time of the day or write to izbori2022@mvr.bg to report any irregularities hindering the election process and falling within the Interior Ministry's field of competence.

The offices of the Bulgarian Identity Documents Directorate will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. They will issue certificates about lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed or expired IDs to enable everyone to exercise their voting rights.

The Interior Ministry warned that armed persons or people carrying health- or life-endangering objects are not allowed into the polling stations. The authorities have banned the use of cell phones, cameras or other equipment to document the votes that are cast.

Interior Ministry officers will step in to restore order, if necessary, after the respective election commission adopts a corresponding decision.

All necessary measures have been taken to protect public order, provide fire safety and ensure that the elections proceed normally, the press release said.