18/11/2014 Standing Committee
The PACE Standing Committee, meeting in Brussels, considers that Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections on 5 October were well administered. However, it expresses concern about “allegations from all sides of vote buying and selling and other election irregularities, as well as a campaign that lacked substance” which had a negative effect on voter confidence.
The report, drafted by Doris Fiala (Switzerland, ALDE) and approved today by PACE, highlights other worrying points, such as “the low voter turnout combined with the relative success of extreme right-wing parties”, a sign of citizens’ mistrust in the political system.
In order to restore public confidence, PACE called on the Bulgarian authorities to investigate these allegations as thoroughly as possible and, if they are substantiated, to bring those responsible to account.