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Home Newsroom News and press releases Bulgaria’s 2022 early parliamentary elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
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Bulgaria’s 2022 early parliamentary elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report

27 February 2023
(OSCE)

The 2 October early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. Despite late preparations, and limited technical and administrative capacity of election administration, elections were conducted adequately. Contestants received substantial exposure in the mainstream media but insufficient journalistic scrutiny of their policies and records in office limited voters’ access to comprehensive information. Allegations of vote-buying and pressure on voters, and concerns over misuse of administrative resources negatively affected parts of the process. The underrepresentation of women as candidates and in the campaign remains of concern.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the October 2022 elections published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Key recommendations include:

  • Revising the legal framework well in advance of the next election in an inclusive and transparent consultation process, to ensure a coherent and stable electoral framework;
  • Providing the Central Election Commission with necessary resources corresponding to its legal and operational responsibilities;
  • Promptly investigating allegations of intimidation, coercion and vote buying, and educating voters on their rights and safeguards in place;
  • Introducing temporary special measures to promote women’s representation;
  • Decriminalizing defamation and insult and giving consideration to capping of damages sought in civil cases with the aim to safeguard freedom of expression;
  • Reviewing the legal framework to ensure that voters and other stakeholders whose rights are violated are entitled to lodge a complaint, and allowing for direct appeals against election results.

ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 31 August 2022 to observe the elections and remained in the country until 12 October.

All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.