The ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party has taken steps to cancel the election results for mayor in he North Bulgarian village of Brest on allegations of vote trading.

Twenty five workers in a shoe company in the village are said to have been given BGN 50 Friday evening, a day before the elections. The initial investigation confirmed that one of the nominees for mayor was present while the money was given, the police press office announced.

Socialist have fingered the candidate of their arch rival, the new but yet highly popular party of Sofia mayor GERB, as the man being the vote selling scheme. An investigation into the claims has been launched.

On March 20, a signal was received in the police that the owners of the shoe factory were giving money to their employees. The money was said to be an advance payment.

The police said though that the workers had not been paid since December 2008.

The investigation is in progress, and all the witnesses, including those who received money, are being interrogated. It turned out that the workers had a strike on March 13 and 14, demanding their wages.

Representatives of six political parties are competing for the mayor position.

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