Registration Begins for Bulgaria's Presidential Elections, Referendum

The Central Electoral Committee (CIK) kicks off registration of political parties, coalitions and initiative committee for the upcoming presidential vote and a three-point referendum on the political system.

The vote is due on November 06. Simultaneously, a referendum on the introduction of a majority system, compulsory voting, and a more than tenfold reduction in subsidies for political parties which gained more than 1% in a parliamentary election (BGN 1 per vote, down from BGN 11) is to take place.

Registration for the referendum can be needed if a party, coalition or a committee seeks to get involved in the information campaign. The three-question poll sparked political controversy as it initially contained six issues but half of them were scrapped by Bulgaria's top court.

Parties and coalitions willing to run in the election are to deposit BGN 2500 and at least 2500 signatures at the committee.

Initiative committees willing to take part have to be made up of at least 21 people and to deposit BGN 100.

Parties and coalitions have until September 21 to register, while for initiative committees the deadline is September 26.

Presidential and vice presidential candidates, however, have more time to declare they will be running, as their registration begins on September 19 and ends on October 04, at 17:00.

GERB, Bulgaria's biggest party that is led by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, has announced its intention not to make the names of its presidential pair public until October 02.