Bulgaria's Ombudsman to Refer Electoral Code Texts to Top Court on Monday

Bulgarian Ombudsman Maya Manolova has said she is ready to refer to the Constitutional Court as early as Monday, October 17, on sections of voting legislation that she believes curbs the rights of Bulgarians abroad.

The move comes three weeks before presidential elections and a referendum are due in Bulgaria on November 06. The last Electoral Code was adopted in May and finally approved in the summer, setting a cap of 35 polling stations per country (apart from Bulgaria's diplomatic missions), with at least 60 signatures of expats needed for a station to be opened.

"I even submitted a draft law that would return the old regime that provided for the automatic opening of sections where [more than 100] Bulgarians have already voted in previous elections," says Manolova, considered the "architect" of the previous Electoral Code, in force under a socialist-led government in 2013-2014 (at the time she was a lawmaker).

Activists have already expressed their anger at the situation, calling on authorities to reconsider the amendments. 

The government, however, has warned delays in voting should be expected.

Both the national Ombudsman and the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) have voiced their concerns with legislation posing hindrances, rather than facilitating, those willing to vote abroad.

Manolova has told the Bulgarian National Radio she will call on the Constitutional Court to issue a ruling "in an urgent manner".

"This scandalous text has to be overcome through a brave decision of CEC, legislative amendments or a constitutional complaint. This situation is explosive," she has said, arguing voters' rights have been infringed.

The election watchdog's spokesperson, Tsvetozar Tomov, has joined Manolova in calling the text...