The Central Election Commission sparked mistrust in the results of the local vote.

With its decision to cancel electronic voting for the elections on October 29, 2023, the Central Election Commission (ЦИК) created chaos and raised doubts about the fairness of the vote. Voting only on paper ballots undoubtedly increases the possibilities and enhances the value of the acquired and controlled vote. In the last local elections, there were a record 600 thousand invalid votes. The Central Election Commission made its decision a day and a half before the polling stations opened, citing a report from DANS (State Agency for National Security). Citizens are expected to blindly trust DANS, an institution with a history of undermining the democratic legal order in Bulgaria, as evidenced by more than one decision of the European Court of Human Rights. This report is hidden from the public, although, according to deputies' testimonies, it is not marked as "classified." The Central Election Commission refuses to provide any details about its content. The decision itself by the Central Election Commission has questionable legal grounds. It would be fair for the members of the Central Election Commission who supported the decision to submit their resignations, and politicians to reconsider the way this party-dominated body is formed.

In the current situation, we call on the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) not to wait until Monday but to pronounce on the appeals against the decision of the Central Election Commission today. The inaction of the court is perplexing. The situation is not just unusual; Bulgaria may leave a shameful mark on its history if the SAC subsequently annuls the decision of the Central Election Commission after elections have already taken place. The municipal election commissions are also in an unclear situation, with some of them deciding not to comply with the decision of the Central Election Commission due to its judicial challenge.

We also call on the Central Election Commission to reconsider its decision, now that the report on machine certification has already been provided to them.

Bulgarian citizens have the right to fair elections, and now the reasons for their cancellation are being discussed. Elections without electronic voting will be unfair.

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