Participation of the PABSEC delegation in the observation of local elections in the Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia, 27 October 2019
The PABSEC Delegation composed of Mr. Cemal Ozturk, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, and Mr. Musa Guliyev, member of the PABSEC Azerbaijani Delegation, took part in the observation mission for local elections in the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia on 27 October 2019. The PABSEC Delegation was accompanied by Mrs. Pavlina Lozanova, Secretary of the PABSEC Legal and Political Affairs Committee.
On 27 October, between 7 am and 8 pm, the first round of the local elections is held in Bulgaria in a total of 265 municipalities. 66 political parties, coalitions and independent candidates were registered at the Central Election Commission to take part in these elections. Nearly 12,000 candidates for mayors and over 36,000 candidates for municipal councilors are running at the local elections.
On Election Day, the PABSEC delegation visited several polling stations in the city of Sofia and noted that the elections were held in a calm atmosphere, in accordance with the standards of democratic elections.
According to preliminary results, the total turnout throughout the country was 42.85%, and in the Mayor elections in Sofia - 32.22%. According to preliminary data, for the post of the mayor of Sofia, the leading candidates are current mayor, Mrs. Yordanka Fandakova (GERB political party) -36,34% and Mrs. Maya Manolova (independent) - 26,73%. The second round will take place next week.