Aleksandar Andreev

Sofia. At a meeting today, the Central Election Commission (CEC) has decided to appeal against the Sofia Administrative Court's ruling over the introduction of voting machines, CEC Spokesman Aleksandar Andreev told Focus News Agency. The commission's arguments will be known when the appeal is filed, which will be done today, he said.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has fended off claims that the vote might be contested due to the lack of electronic voting.

CEC spokesperson Aleksandar Andreev has told the Bulgarian National Radio that the development is far from being the most substantial claim one could lodge over the election.

The Central Election Commission (CEC) of Bulgaria is not considering the option that there will be no machine voting in the early election due in less than six weeks.

In an interview with Focus Radio, its spokesperson Aleksandar Andreev has rejected claims that it was late in responding to the lack of machines.

A test of the experimental ballot counting by using special machines will probably be confined to Bulgaria's capital Sofia at the forthcoming presidential vote, an electoral official has said.

Aleksandar Andreev, head of the Central Electoral Committee, has told Focus Radio that the constituencies implementing the method for the first time are yet to be determined.

Voter activity in local elections held in Bulgaria on Sunday was 43.2% as of 16:00 (EET), three hours before polls close, an electoral official has said.

Aleksandar Andreev, spokesperson for the Central Electoral Commission (CEC), told Radio Focus on Monday morning the commission had "no information" about problems with ballot processing, which is done by its municipal subdivisions.

Socialist party spokesperson Atanas Merdzhanov has accused ruling GERB party of using its influence to manipulate results of local elections, as exit polls suggested a secure victory for incumbent Yordanka Fandakova.

A total of twenty-two parties and seven coalitions are now registered at the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) as the deadline expired on Wednesday, August 20.

Two parties were denied registration.