Caretaker government allocated BGN 57.1 million for Bulgaria’s snap elections on July 11

Bulgaria’s caretaker government has allocated an amount of 57.1 million BGN for the preparation and holding of the country’s early parliamentary elections on July 11, caretaker finance minister said on May 17.

The government has also approved additional 11.1 million BGN to be used if needed if the state of Covid-19 epidemic situation remains in place at the time of the elections.

After the public procurement of additional voting machines, the funds to cover the cost will be provided by the Ministry of Finance caretaker, minister Vassilev said.

The activities that to be covered by the 57.1 million BGN include preparation and printing voters lists, purchase and production of the necessary election papers and materials, printing of ballots, logistical support for the regional and municipal administrations and of the administration of the cabinet, pay for members of the district and sectional election commissions, the computer processing of the data from the voting and the issuance of the election results, and conducting an awareness campaign on the rights and obligations of citizens and the method of voting.

The approved amount also include additional funds for the 500 polling stations abroad.

The government said that it was prepared to provide the necessary funds if the Central Election Commission decides to introduce video monitoring of ballot-counting at polling stations.

Bulgarians will be going to the polls on July 11 after the three biggest political powers elected in the April 4 regular parliamentary elections failed to form a government.