Referendum Reflection Day Arrives in Bulgaria

Saturday is a day of reflection in Bulgaria, one day ahead of the referendum on the future of nuclear energy.

This is the first referendum in the country since the fall of the Communist regime in 1989.

On Sunday, January 27, 2013, Bulgarians will have to answer in the referendum the following question: "Should nuclear energy be developed in Bulgaria through the construction of new nuclear power units?"

The country's electoral code bans placing campaign materials such as posters and brochures in voting polls and within 50 meters from them. Announcing any sociology poll results on the referendum and any form of campaigning are also banned.

According to Bulgaria's Civil Registration and Administrative Services Department (GRAO), the total number of people included in the electoral roll for the upcoming referendum is 6 949 120.

There will be over 11 600 voting polls across the country.

Voters can check their status and the address of their voting poll on the GRAO official internet page; call 0800 1 4726 (0800 1 GRAO), or by sending a short text message to 18429.

Bulgarians abroad can cast a ballot in 44 polls in 35 countries. This time, the polls are located only in Embassies and Consular Offices. On referendum day, the expats who have not applied to vote abroad can go the nearest poll, if there is one, and be added to the voter list.

Under the law, voter turnout is going to be key for the validity of the referendum as it postulated that in order to have a valid one, the same number of voters as at the last general election must go to the polls or 4.2 million people.

This number is unlikely to be achieved, but if 20% of the 4.2 million cast a ballot, the prevailing answer – yes or no must be reexamined by the Parliament.

Polls open at 6 am Sunday and close at 7 pm or until there are people waiting in line, but not later then 8 pm.

The ballots will be white with the question printed on it and with two squares with the "yes" and "no" answer. One square must be marked with a cross (X) with a blue ink pen.

Any other ways to mark the answer will invalidate the ballot.

The voters must also place the ballot in the provided white envelope, which is to be cast by dropping it in a special transparent box before the poll's commission.

Alcohol sales are banned across the country on the day of voting.