Over Half a Million Bulgarians Open to Selling Their Vote, Survey Finds

The issue of vote buying, controlled voting, and measures to prevent them often resurfaces ahead of elections. However, it has emerged with heightened intensity in the lead-up to Bulgaria's seventh consecutive early parliamentary elections. Investigative reports, actions by the Ministry of Interior, and political disclosures have all shed light on the extent of the problem, which is becoming increasingly pressing as voter turnout in the country continues to decline. In such an environment, public trust in political parties and the electoral process itself is increasingly fragile.

A recent survey conducted by "Gallup International Balkan" for the Bulgarian National Television aimed to gauge public attitudes toward voting under incentives, coercion, or payment. Conducted between September 28 and October 6, 2024, among 806 respondents using the face-to-face tablet method, the study provides insights into the issue. When asked if they would vote for pay, coercion, or other incentives weeks before the election, 10% of respondents admitted they might, while 78% denied it, and 12% were uncertain. Although these responses are declarative and may not fully reflect the truth, they offer a basis for analyzing the scope of the problem.

Among the respondents who confirmed their intention to vote in the upcoming elections, the results did not differ significantly from the overall sample. However, while the share of "I don't know" responses decreases, there is a slight increase in both affirmative and negative responses among this group. Notably, 12% of those firmly planning to vote admitted they would accept incentives, which, with an estimated turnout of around 2 million voters, could translate to approximately 240,000 individuals. In reality, the numbers could...