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2007 Assessment

Bulgaria: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Bulgaria: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Voting & Citizen Participation
Indicators		Score
14	Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?	100
15	Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?	100
16	Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?	100

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

Is there a legal framework guaranteeing the right to vote?

14a: In law, universal and equal adult suffrage is guaranteed to all citizens.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: The Constitution, Art. 42

14b: In law, there is a legal framework requiring that elections be held at regular intervals.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution, Chapters 3, 4, and 5

Can all citizens exercise their right to vote?

15a: In practice, all adult citizens can vote.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: There are no reports of denial or dilution of the right to vote.

15b: In practice, ballots are secret or equivalently protected.

Score:

100

Comments: Recent Electoral Laws required the use of transparent ballot boxes and integrated ballots that could be folded or put in envelopes. Only during the latest local elections were there allegations that, due to thin and transparent ballots, it was possible to determine the vote of individual citizens in certain areas. Courts have thus far rejected such complaints.

References: Recent Electoral Laws required the use of transparent ballot boxes and integrated ballots that could be folded or put in envelopes. Only during the latest local elections were there allegations that, due to thin and transparent ballots, it was possible to determine the vote of individual citizens in certain areas. Courts have thus far rejected such complaints.

15c: In practice, elections are held according to a regular schedule.

Score:

100

Comments: There have been no problems regarding the rescheduling of elections or the manipulation of electoral dates.

References: There have been no problems regarding the rescheduling of elections or the manipulation of electoral dates.

Are citizens able to participate equally in the political process?

16a: In law, all citizens have a right to form political parties.

Score:

YES

Comments:

References: Constitution, Articles 11/44

16b: In law, all citizens have a right to run for political office.

Score:

YES

Comments: Restrictions regarding age, professional qualifications and some other conditions may be applicable for certain public positions.

References: Constitution, various electoral laws

16c: In practice, all citizens are able to form political parties.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: While there is no guarantee of electoral success, political parties can form freely without opposition. <p>50 Score Criteria: Some barriers to formation are present, such as burdensome registration requirements that may not be fairly applied. Some parties\' political viewpoints may draw pressure from the government, such as surveillance or intimidation. Some political parties or organizations may have extra barriers to getting on a ballot. <p>0 Score Criteria: Some political parties are effectively barred from forming through some manner of official or unofficial pressure. This may include threats, arrest, or violence from competing parties or other groups.$

Comments: The party of the Macedonians in Bulgaria (OMO) was banned by the Constitutional Court. Hurdles against the party's registration continue to be erected by different authorities.

References: Constitutional Court Decision, 2000/1

Peer Review Comments: All citizens are able to form political parties if the parties' rules and practices are not against the law.

Peer Review Comments: All citizens are able to form political parties.The mentioned case falls under one of the provisions of the Bulgarian Constitution that bans the establishment of ethnic-based parties.

16d: In practice, all citizens can run for political office.

Score:

100

Comments: The costs of running for office are not excessive in comparative terms. It is still possible for non-millionaires to run for office.

References: Nations in Transit 2007, Freedom House Report

16e: In practice, an opposition party is represented in the legislature.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The opposition party always has some influence on the proceedings of the legislature. The opposition party can introduce legislation or bring pending matters to a vote without the consent of the ruling party. <p>50 Score Criteria: The opposition party has influence on the proceeding of the legislature, but it is limited in scope. The opposition\'s ability to force votes or publicly debate certain topics may be limited. <p>0 Score Criteria: The opposition party has only token participation in the legislature\'s proceedings and cannot advance legislation or force a debate.$

Comments: There has been opposition in Bulgarian parliaments since 1990.

References: There has been opposition in Bulgarian parliaments since 1990.

Peer Review Comments: Although currently there are several opposition parties in the legislature, GERB (currently the biggest opposition party) doesn't have any representatives in the national Parliament. The party was formed after the general elections in 2005, and although it won the European Parliament and local elections, it has no influence in the legislature.