Bulgarian parliamentary elections generally in line with international election standards
The OSCE monitors the conduct of elections in participating States. (Lubomir Kotek/OSCE) Photo details
SOFIA, 18 June 2001 (OSCE) - The 17 June parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were generally in line with international standards on democratic elections, concluded the International Election Observation Mission in a statement issued today in Sofia.
"The voting and counting were carried out in an orderly, professional manner, in accordance with the Election Law", said Ambassador Charles Magee, the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). "The people of Bulgaria have been able to strongly express their will. It is now up to their newly elected leaders to see to it that the aspirations of the electorate are fully respected", added Mr. Henning Gjellerod, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegation.
The international observers noted that the Election Law provides an adequate legal framework for democratic elections, although a few aspects of the Law raise concerns, in particular provisions regarding the removal of candidates who are alleged to have collaborated with the former State security agencies. Election commissions at all levels performed their duties in a professional, unbiased and transparent manner.
A plurality of political parties, coalitions and movements contested these elections unimpeded. However, some political parties raised concerns about the program of the Coalition National Movement "Simeon II", headed by the former Tsar of Bulgaria.
The election campaign was generally low key. Although public interest in the campaign appeared to be rather limited, there was a relatively high voter turnout of around 67%. A large number of print and broadcasting media, both public and private, gave the public broad access to information and a variety of opinions. However, the campaign coverage in the public broadcasting media was effectively limited by overly restrictive provisions in the Election Law and the fact that candidates had to pay for all appearances, including debates.
Women accounted for almost 25% of the candidate lists of the major parties, often in leading positions. However, national minorities were underrepresented on most party lists.
Mission information:
The International Election Observation Mission is a joint undertaking by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. On election day, 132 observers reported from 752 polling stations throughout Bulgaria.
For further information, please contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Spokesperson, in Warsaw (+48-22-520 0600 or +48-603 683 122)Amb. Charles Magee, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, in Sofia (+359-2-981 3450)Vladimir Dronov, Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, or Bas Klein, Head of Information Technology Unit at PACE, in Strasbourg (+33-3-8841 2000)
"The voting and counting were carried out in an orderly, professional manner, in accordance with the Election Law", said Ambassador Charles Magee, the Head of the Election Observation Mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR). "The people of Bulgaria have been able to strongly express their will. It is now up to their newly elected leaders to see to it that the aspirations of the electorate are fully respected", added Mr. Henning Gjellerod, the Head of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegation.
The international observers noted that the Election Law provides an adequate legal framework for democratic elections, although a few aspects of the Law raise concerns, in particular provisions regarding the removal of candidates who are alleged to have collaborated with the former State security agencies. Election commissions at all levels performed their duties in a professional, unbiased and transparent manner.
A plurality of political parties, coalitions and movements contested these elections unimpeded. However, some political parties raised concerns about the program of the Coalition National Movement "Simeon II", headed by the former Tsar of Bulgaria.
The election campaign was generally low key. Although public interest in the campaign appeared to be rather limited, there was a relatively high voter turnout of around 67%. A large number of print and broadcasting media, both public and private, gave the public broad access to information and a variety of opinions. However, the campaign coverage in the public broadcasting media was effectively limited by overly restrictive provisions in the Election Law and the fact that candidates had to pay for all appearances, including debates.
Women accounted for almost 25% of the candidate lists of the major parties, often in leading positions. However, national minorities were underrepresented on most party lists.
Mission information:
The International Election Observation Mission is a joint undertaking by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. On election day, 132 observers reported from 752 polling stations throughout Bulgaria.
For further information, please contact:
Jens-Hagen Eschenbächer, OSCE/ODIHR Spokesperson, in Warsaw (+48-22-520 0600 or +48-603 683 122)Amb. Charles Magee, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, in Sofia (+359-2-981 3450)Vladimir Dronov, Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, or Bas Klein, Head of Information Technology Unit at PACE, in Strasbourg (+33-3-8841 2000)