Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry reported receiving nearly 140 reports of election-related violations, 14 of which contained details of possible crimes. According to Interior Minister Atanas Ilkov, about 50 pretrial proceedings have been opened regarding crimes against the political rights of the people. The ministry has so far carried out more than 100 tests, and about a quarter of them have been completed.
To date, authorities have detained 23 people and issued 471 warning procedures. Since the electoral process began, the Ministry of Interior has carried out more than 100 operations.
Minister Ilkov stressed that all reports received will be thoroughly investigated. He emphasized the use of the department’s geographic information system to track traffic signals, investigations and arrests in real time. “The entire election situation is transparent and it is impossible for officials to hide reports without scrutiny,” he asserted.
Mr. Ilkov also mentioned ongoing operations targeting vote-buying schemes in five electoral districts and highlighted new individuals involved in such activities. “We are primarily targeting new entrants to these schemes because older people from 10 to 15 years ago are not as relevant to current investigations,” he explained.
