In an interview on The Day Begins, a morning programme on Bulgarian National Television (BNT), Kalin Slavov, Executive Director of Transparency International Bulgaria, discussed the organisation and conduct of the presidential elections, the effectiveness of machine voting, reports of controlled voting, and the need to update electoral rolls in Bulgaria.
Did machine voting prove its worth in the elections?
We have consistently maintained that machine voting is a modern and appropriate way to administer the electoral process. Unfortunately, the hybrid model used so far, combining machine voting with paper ballots, has proved to be an ineffective solution.
The most serious difficulties arose during the submission and counting of results, the completion of election protocols, and the reconciliation of discrepancies between machine-generated data and manual counts. This created additional tension and delayed the work of the Regional Election Commissions. The current arrangements have shown that simplifying the process allows Precinct Election Commissions to work in a calmer and more orderly environment. I believe this is a better approach to managing election day.
Technical problems with voting machines were reported in some locations. Should they remain a cause for concern?
Technical difficulties were relatively few compared with the total number of machines in use. However, we should not forget that the devices are now quite old and require substantial technical maintenance. Comprehensive servicing was carried out before the elections, including a range of technical checks and maintenance procedures.
This also raises the question of the cost of the electoral process. The budget for these elections amounts to nearly €120 million, a sum that obliges us to take a particularly responsible approach to organising the elections and spending public funds. Democracy is priceless, but that does not mean we should stop looking for more efficient and economically sound solutions, particularly under budgetary constraints.
What explains the lower voter turnout? Was there a decline in controlled and vote-buying practices?
Voter turnout has several dimensions. Although the candidates were formally nominated by initiative committees, it was clear to everyone that political parties and formations stood behind them. In this sense, mobilisation was concentrated primarily among committed party supporters. At the same time, some of the major political formations did not participate in the elections, which may also have affected turnout.
Whether the lower number of voters reflects the absence of certain party electorates or a decline in controlled voting and vote-buying is a question that requires further analysis.
It is noteworthy that turnout was low this time in localities where there have traditionally been suspicions of electoral manipulation. This may indicate that certain practices have become less prevalent. When such practices are less prominent during the electoral process, voting itself tends to proceed more calmly.
When assessing the actions of the Ministry of Interior, we need to distinguish between preventive measures and the actual outcomes of criminal proceedings. According to the information provided, around ten pre-trial proceedings have been initiated. We have yet to see how many will result in convictions or plea agreements. This does not appear to be a sufficiently convincing outcome given the total number of reports submitted and processed.
In my view, the Ministry of Interior’s role in the electoral process should be clearly defined and focused on the technical and security arrangements: securing polling stations, transporting voting machines, and maintaining public order. The fewer grounds there are to suspect that institutions are interfering in political competition, the greater public confidence in elections will be.
What is the problem with the electoral rolls, and how accurately does the reported voter turnout reflect reality?
The state has the necessary administrative infrastructure, yet it is clearly not doing enough to ensure that electoral rolls reflect the actual situation. With electoral rolls containing approximately 6.5 million people and actual turnout standing at around 2 million voters, the reliability of the electoral register remains a particularly important issue.
Of course, we must also take into account the mobility of Bulgarian citizens who live and work between Bulgaria and other European countries. This makes it difficult to maintain up-to-date information about their places of residence. However, there are also people who should no longer appear on the rolls because they have died.
One solution that has been discussed periodically is the introduction of so-called active voter registration, under which citizens would register their intention to vote and be included on the electoral rolls accordingly. This would bring the number of registered voters closer to reality and provide a more reliable basis for calculating voter turnout.
This is not a new issue, but it continues to be postponed. With the next elections approaching, political will to find a lasting solution is essential.
How would you sum up the presidential elections?
Unfortunately, voter turnout was low. This is not a technological problem, but rather a reflection of the state of civic participation in the country.
It seems to me that Bulgarian society remains on the sidelines of the trend towards greater political engagement that we are seeing in other European countries. Serbia offers an instructive example: citizens there managed to organise themselves into a genuine grassroots movement, put forward their own representatives, and participate actively in the political process.
We need to understand that civic participation goes beyond expressing dissatisfaction with those in power. It also involves developing alternatives, putting forward representatives, and actively engaging in solving society’s problems.
Democracy neither begins nor ends with elections. It continues through an ongoing dialogue between citizens and their representatives in public institutions, including Parliament, the executive branch, and the presidency. This is precisely the kind of more active civic participation that we need.