Vacant places in section commissions abroad will be displayed on the webpage of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and they can be filled from the Bulgarian Diaspora in the different countries, announced the speaker of CEC.

Until now, there has always been a problem with filling the vacant places in section commissions abroad. This is mostly due to the fact that every party that wishes to send a representative has to cover his/her expenses.

Andreev added that the decision has already been approved and refused to comment on the claims of Bulgarians living abroad that the new provision will obstruct their right to vote.

Andreev explained that the so-called automatic sections will no longer exist. Before, sections were opened automatically in places where more than 100 voters had voted over the last 5 years.

Sections outside diplomatic and consular missions will now be opened only if there are more than 60 applications. The total number of sections may not exceed 35. Until now, there have been more than 35 sections in the USA, Spain, the UK, Turkey, where the Bulgarian diaspora is numerous.

CEC has already adopted an application form for the opening of sections abroad. It will be valid for both the presidential elections and the referendum. Applications may be submitted electronically as well.