Participation of the PABSEC delegation in the observation of parliamentary elections in the Republic of Bulgaria, Sofia, 4 April 2021
PABSEC Delegation composed of Mr. Cemal Ozturk, Head of the PABSEC Turkish Delegation, Mr. Musa Guliyev, member of the PABSEC Azerbaijani Delegation and Mr. Asaf Hajiyev, PABSEC Secretary General, took part in the observation mission for parliamentary elections in the Republic of Bulgaria in Sofia on 4 April 2021. The PABSEC Delegation was accompanied by Mrs. Pavlina Lozanova, Secretary of the PABSEC Legal and Political Affairs Committee.
On 3 April 2021, in the framework of the monitoring mission, the PABSEC Delegation visited the Central Election Commission (CEC) and had a meeting with Mr. Alexander Andreev, Chairperson of the CEC and other members of the Commission, who delivered information about the electoral procedure, the legislative system, as well as the function and the composition of the CEC. It was noted that for the first time the machinery voting was introduced, as well as special health protocols in the polling stations.
In the framework of the visit to Sofia, the PABSEC monitoring delegation met with the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Sofia Ms. Aylin Sekizkok. The constructive contribution of Turkey to strengthening peace and stability in the Black Sea region was underlined. The Secretary General informed the Ambassador about the results of the ongoing spring meetings of the PABSEC Committees, as well as the preparatory work for the 57th PABSEC General Assembly. The importance of strengthening cooperation in the Black Sea region was noted, especially given the complicated situation for all countries in the fight against coronavirus infection.
On the Election day, the monitoring delegation visited various polling stations in different districts of Sofia. A common assessment of the PABSEC Delegation was that the election had been well organized, and all the regulations had been strictly followed. They estimated that the election day had passed without any significant incidents and the parliamentary elections were held in a democratic and transparent atmosphere with high electoral participation. As a general conclusion, the PABSEC Delegation noticed a good organization and management of the electoral process in the Republic of Bulgaria.
According to preliminary evaluations, 40.8% of voters cast their ballots. There was no threshold for the participation of voters. The electoral threshold for the parties was 4%.
According to preliminary information, issued by social research agencies, Coalition GERB - SDS received 26.14% of the votes. The second was the Political party “There is Such a People” with 17.73% of the votes. Coalition BSP - For Bulgaria got 15.02%. The Political party “Movement for Rights and Freedom” got 10.34% and the right party “Democratic Bulgaria” got fifth place with 9.52% of the votes. The Coalition “Stand up. Mafia out” got 4.74% of the voters.
On 5 April 2021, the PABSEC Delegation, met with Mr. Petar Kanev, Head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation. The PABSEC Delegation and Mr. Petar Kanev discussed the current activities of the Assembly and exchanged information on the PABSEC events in the second half of 2021. The Secretary General informed the head of the PABSEC Bulgarian Delegation on the organizational and preparatory work for the 57th General Assembly in the Republic of Moldova in June 2021.
Mr. Petar Kanev expressed support for the activities of the PABSEC and highly appreciated the work of the PABSEC International Secretariat. He informed the colleagues of the outcome of the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 4 April. He underlined that Bulgaria attaches great importance to its participation in the PABSEC and expressed readiness for further fruitful cooperation within the Assembly.