In the draft Electoral Code presently being debated by Bulgarian MPs, the requirement of obligatory settlement will be maintained for local and European voting.

This was decided in Parliament late on Thursday, as lawmakers discussed proposals on the draft text until midnight.

The principle of settlement states that only Bulgarians with at least 6 months of residence in the country prior to local elections can exercise their voting rights.

Regarding the European vote, a minimum period of 3-month tract of residence in Bulgaria or another country that is a member of the European Union will be required of a person if they want to cast a ballot. Citizens who do not meet the conditions above are to be blacklisted.

MPs also rejected ultranationalist party Ataka's proposition that obligatory settlement be extended from 6 months to 2 years. The right-wing group also suggested that the election candidates openly declare their sexual orientation and affiliation to secret societies.

Ataka also support introducing settlement rules for parliamentary and presidential elections, an idea that has provoked much debate in Bulgarian media and society over the past years.

The settlement principle is a major source of discord between the ruling Bulgarian Socialist Party and its coalition partners the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), which are also in the government.

Debates over the Electoral Code continue on Friday and are expected to be extended to the weekend, when MPs will be gathering for an emergency session dedicated to the remainder of the draft code.

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