Choose to Participate

8/11/2019 Choose to Participate

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HANDBOOK

Choose to Participate


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Print and design: "zerh 2" [email protected], 02 4224029

A project by the Centre for European And International Studies supportd by the NGO Programme in Bulgariaunder the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2009-2014

he present Handbook has been created with the financial support of the NG O Programme in Bulgaria underthe EEA Financial Mechanism. he Centre for European And International Studies bears the sole responsibility

for the contents of this Handbook and by no means the Handbook can be regarded to represent the officialposition of the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area and the Operator of the NGO Programme

in Bulgaria.


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CONTENTS

CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE

ABOUT US

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

CIVIL SOCIETY

POLITICAL PARTIES

ELECTIONS

EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS

ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN

ELECTIONS

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04page

06page

08page

10page

12page

16page

18page

20page

21page


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Based on the information and recommendations collected we developed a testspecialized educational module for high school students aimed at presenting theideas like active citizenship and elections (and especially the concept of their freedomand fairness according to Bulgarian law and international standards) in an attractivemanner. Te module was a test one since its contents were presented to high schoolstudents in three Bulgarian towns. We changed the module in between lessons to

reflect feedback we received.Of course, two school periods are highly insufficient to implant lasting ideas on activecitizenship and free and fair elections , the project team invited the most active studentsto take part in a seminar to deepen their knowledge and put it into practice. Teparticipants were asked to make their own monitoring of the 2013 general elections,took part in a simulation game to discover electoral violations, and lastly the willingstudents were registered as observers of the 2014 European Parliament elections. Wecount on the fact that the students we have taught will become active multipliers ofthe ideas for free and fair elections and active citizenship.

o ensure further sustainability of the project results we developed a teaching aid bythe young for the young which presents the main aspects of free and fair electionsand active citizenship in an attractive Q&A manner. Te aid is distributed as printedmaterial, but to guarantee that the sid will reach our main target, the young people,we developed a free mobile application for Android devices. We also presented theteaching module to the authorities responsible for study programs to consider itsinclusion in study plans and materials,

In short we are convinced that raising awareness is paramount to building andstrengthening civil society and promoting its contribution to social justice, democracyand sustainable development. Tat is why we target young people those who arenow forming ideas, those who are enthusiastic to participate, those who are mostmotivated to secure better future for their country.

We believe that Choose to Participate is a step towards a new generation of citizenswith active mindset and proactive attitude towards the future of Bulgaria.

CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE (project summary) 4 - 5

oday most young people do not care about politics (in the broadest sense), do notsee the point in participating in society and do not know what legal opportunities theyhave to influence the decision-making process such as taking part in elections and/or being active in NGOs. We believe that in part this lack of enthusiasm stems fromthe lack of information on how state governance works and where the citizens (andin particular) young people are in the process. We think that one of the methods to

raise awareness and interest of young people is to improve their knowledge throughconcerted efforts to teach civic education in Bulgarian high schools. We work onthe premise that awareness regarding the opportunities for influencing the decisionmaking process, provided to each citizen, will also boost the aspirations of youngpeople to become active citizens and be a dynamic part of society.

Secondly, we are convinced, that one of the main elements of democracy are the freeand fair elections and a prerequisite for that is clear idea what is allowed and what isnot during voting, what are our rights, obligations and opportunities to react whenencountering an election violation. We count on the fact that the awareness and theenthusiasm of young people guarantee that Bulgaria will continue to progress until i treaches the highest international standards in democratic elections.

In this sense, the Choose to Participate project of the Centre for European andInternational Studies with the financial support of the NGO Programme in Bulgariaunder the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism, has the goal to fosterdemocratic values, especially among young people, by raising their awareness fortheir rights and obligations as voters, by implanting lasting ideas what free and fairelections entail, to motivate young people to monitor processes in society and preparethem to counteract every violation of basic rights including the right of free and fairelections that young people have spotted.

We will achieve this goal in several aspects. First we gathered information we analyzedthe existing state approved programs regarding civic education and we identified theareas that require more efforts; we will analyze best practices from other countriesand will pinpoint methods and contents which works in regards to overcoming theexisting problems; we asked young people online whether they lack something intheir education and what are their proposals to overcome these deficits. Lastly wetried to engage all sides to the educational process teachers, representatives of theMinistry of Education and regional inspectorates, students and parents in three townsto measure how the material taught implants active ci tizenship ideas in the minds ofhigh school students in Bulgaria.


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ABOUT US 6 - 7

Te Centre for European and International Studies Foundation was established in2008 by a group of young people united by their common ambition to work togetherfor a better future for Bulgaria.Our main mission is to contribute for strengthening the European democraticand social values in Bulgaria and to work for the adequate positioning of Bulgaria

in Europe and the world. We believe that we can propose some good ideas tosupport the transformation of our country into a modern European state on todaysinternational theatre.

In our work we try to promote active citizenship and to support the forming ofcivic consciousness of the young people and to help spreading the European valuesamong active youth.

Te scope of our activities includes trainings and discussions on importantEuropean policies with the participation of prominent experts on these topics,promoting young peoples research and supporting publications of young peoplein compendiums on these issues distributed freely to universities and stateadministration; round table discussions and dialogue between youth NGOs anddecision makers.

In our activities we strive to include young people and provoke their civic activity,responsibility and ideas. We do so not only through our own projects but alsothrough supporting their own ideas, projects and European priorities.

In line with its Statutes, CEIS aims to help young people to unfold their potentialand to form a truly European mind set. For this reason, for six years in a row, wehave organized a competition for an annual scholarship awarded to the author ofthe best essay on a European issue.

Our most successful projects include several research projects with the participationof young experts Bulgaria in Europe and the World (2009), Europe Looks tothe East: Eastern Partnership a Year Later (2010), Western Balkans Accessionto the EU: Mission (Im)Possible (2011), and Arab Spring: Hopes for Change andChallenges before CFSP (2012), Bulgaria in EU's Common Foreign and SecurityPolicy after 2014 New Instruments, More Opportunities? (2013).

In 2011, in partnership with Sredetz and Studentski districts, CEIS completed the

Act Naturally project with the financial Support of Europe 2011 Programme ofSofia Municipality and published a youth guide with the same name. During thisproject we developed a methodology for tourist products and gained experience inpolling public opinion. We made good use of that during the 19 until 19 project.

Te 19 until '19 project was aimed at presenting the tourist potential of Sofia in

a non-typical, more attractive way, showing 19 less known tourist attractions ofSofia. Tat was done in a beautifully constructed and illustrated with numerousartistic photographs book guide wearing the same name 19 until '19. Te projectwas realised with the financial support of Sofia municipality, Europe Programme2013 and was in support of the nomination of Sofia and the South-west region forEuropean Capital of Culture in 2019.

In the beginning of 2013, CEIS successfully carried out the Eat. Learn. Europe.project with the financial support of the Youth in Action Programme. We wantedto help youngsters from seven countries to overcome prejudice formed for manydecades and centuries and to help them build skil ls for multicultural dialogue. Wedid that through cooking together our national foods. In total 21 youngsters fromAzerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Georgia, Italy, Poland and urkey took part in thisproject in the picturesque Bulgarian town of Devin.

For more information about our activities and our future projects, follow us on ourwebsite www.cemi-bg.org.


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Whatdoesactivecitizenshipmean?

ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP

o be a citizen means to havea lasting (political and legal)connection to a country; to enjoycertain rights and honor certainobligations towards your state andobey the sovereign power of this

particular country.

o be an active citizen means toparticipate actively in community life by employing the rights and obligations grantedby the state through Constitution and laws.

As a student in a school., citizen of a certain cityor local community you could pay attention to theproblems of the school/community/city; you couldthink about solutions to those problems; you couldfind supporters for your proposals and resolve theparticular problem. Here is an example of activecitizenship: you believe that your schoolyard (or thepark in your community) is too dirty. What do youdo? Find some friends and clean up. ake it a stepfurther and put some signs requesting that the place is kept clean.

If a problem is big enough, you will need a larger group of supporters. Tismight be NGOs, political parties, trade unions (unions of workers in aparticular company or industry branch). Teir main goals are to protect theinterests of their members. Every member of such organization may offerproposals for policies to bring about a positive change in the direction wewant.

Another option for bringing about change in society is to participate inelections. Every Bulgarian citizen who has reached 18 years of age may vote.Under certain conditions every citizen may be voted a member of the localcouncil, Member of Parliament, and even President. By running in electionsyou take the personal responsibility to change Bulgaria for the better.

?How can

you bean active citizen

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Sure, if you are at least 18 yearsold. Te right of peaceful assembly,of meetings and demonstrationsis guaranteed by the BulgarianConstitution and the Assemblies,Rallies and Demonstrations Act.

If you would like to express youropinion by gathering a limitednumber of supporters you haveconvened a meeting. A rally is a mass meeting outside, and a demonstrationis a rally that is moving from point A to point B.

You may protest about anything except forceful revision of the Constitutionalorder in Bulgaria or its territorial integrity. Tere may not be a protest thatwill threaten the public order or infringe the rights and freedoms of othercitizens. Tere may not be protests during the night (between 22.00 and 6.00oclock) or protests when there is a high risk of spreading diseases. Tere aresome places (such as military areas) where protests are prohibited.

Protests, especially those taking place outside, are subject to specificregulations. Te people organizing protests should notify in writing themunicipal authorities that an assembly/rally/demonstration is taking placeat least 48 hours before the event (24 hours of notification are acceptablein case of emergency. Te notification should include information regardingthe people who organize the protest, the goals, the time and place of theassembly or the route of the demonstration. Te municipal authorities mayimpose additional requirements such as notification regarding the estimatednumber of expected attendees and security measures planned.

Whether you are organizing a protest or just attending one, remember thatyou should never wear a mask or/and weapons (even a glass bottle may hurtsomeone); you should not appear drunk or drugged, you should not hinderthe normal course of the protest, and you should obey the public order(that excludes cursing, fights, throwing objects that may hurt someone). Ifyou do not abide by these common sense requirements you might be kindlyrequested by the people organizing the protest to leave the event. Te policemay be less polite do not forget that in case you violate the rules you maybe fined with 50 to 300 leva and even be arrested!

I dont like the waymy school/my town/

my country is ran?

May I protest?


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CIVIL SOCIETY

In the broadest possible sensethe civil society is the self-consciousness and the initiativeof the citizens in a state.he civil society is the livingconsciousness of a nation;

it comes to live whenevereveryone or at least a largegroup of people unite behinda common cause of shared

interest or a resolution of a major problem and stand up for it before thecompetent authorities.

More often these are different in type and cause non-governmentalorganizations, civil associations and civil initiatives.

Civil society can only exist wherever the relations between authoritiesand subjects is strong, balanced and complements one another; whereverindividual interest is recognized and common interest; wherever voluntarismis a point of reference.

Civil society is the strongestinstrument for defending individualand group interests before state

authorities. he existence of civilsociety is an indicator of higherlevel of development of a nation.he active civil society and itsmembers are likely to be boundby solidarity and stand together todefend their interests.

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A non-governmental organization is anorganization (or a legal entity) established tosupport society or society groups and is not-for-profit. In other words, unlike companies, NGOsare not set up to make money but rather tospread certain values. NGOs may be established

in private or public interest depending on thetarget beneficiaries the whole society or justa group. For example an association aiming topromote arts at your school is an NGO in privatebenefit, while an association against bullying inBulgarian schools is in public benefit.

More information on NGOs and therequirements for setting one may be found inthe Act on Not for Profit Legal Entities. If youare interested what NGOs operate in your areaand what they do, you may check out the CentralRegister of Not for Profit Legal Entities for Public Benefit at the Ministry ofJustice.

Every person of legal age or legal entity regardless of its residence (localor foreign) may set up an NGO in Bulgaria. Every person of legal age maybecome an NGO member.

Basically we may group NGOs into associations and foundations, and bothcan be established in public or private benefit. An association has members,while a foundation has property. Te associations are required to have atleast two ruling bodies a managing board and an assembly of all members,while the foundation is required only to have a managing body. Tere arerequirements for a minimum number of founding members of an association(3 to 7 depending on the goal). Foundations may be established by one singleperson.

WHAT IS

civil society?

What arethe conditions for development of civil society?

Why isdeveloped civil

society important?

What is a

non-governmental

organization

/NGO/?

Who can set up an NGO?

Are theredifferent types of NGOs?

Who isrepresenting civil society?


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POLITICAL PARTIES

A political party is avoluntary organizationwhich means that itsmembers have associ-ated on their own freewill. Te difference be-

tween a political partyand all other organiza-tions is that only political parties may run in elections and compete for po-litical power. Tis way they express the political interests of parts of society.

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political parties came into existence outside the parliament and later, whenuniversal suffrage was introduced, these parties started participating in thefight for power.Another way of forming parties resulted from the desire of the representativesof the estates in the parliament to establish alliances on different issues thathad to be resolved. o improve their coordination, they started formingpolitical organizations within the parliamentary institutions. Tat is howthe parliamentary parties emerged.

Te most importantfunction of the con-temporary democrat-ic political parties isto mediate. Now whatdoes that mean? Everysingle person has cer-tain interests, desires,and needs. It is verydifficult however for a

single person to obtain all that they need by themselves. For example athome we need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to deliver internet con-nection to our home computer. Te same way, political parties deliver tous the right of political representation. And it is important that we are po-litically represented because the important decisions affecting all of us areultimately taken at political level. Examples of such decisions are whetherfile sharing via torrents is legal or what subjects would be taught at schools.

he parties, with their political programs, ideas, values, manifestos,collect our ideas, needs, and desires. Parties then participate in electionsand if they win they make sure to achieve them through governance ofthe state. Well, at least in the ideal scenario; in practice things might bedifferent.

What is

a political party?

How canI become a party member?

o become a party member a citizen should have voting rights. Tey areguaranteed in Bulgarian Constitution for most people over 18 years of age.Representatives of some professions are not allowed to be members of po-litical parties as the jobs they perform are of great importance for the wholesociety and not just separate political groups.

Te emergence of political parties isa long and complicated process. Tepolitical parties in England and the USAin the 18th and the 19th centuries are theclosest to political parties that we knowtoday.

With the development of crafts andindustries, gradually more and morepeople started producing different goodsand offer different services. At a certainpoint they grew into such a significantpart of society that they starteddemanding that their interests becomepolitical (that is that their interests be represented). So these peopleunited to form a political organization to achieve that goal. Tat is how the

How did

partiesemerge?

How doparties represent our interests?

What arethe functions of political parties?


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Individualism, free market and economic activity (close to right-wing);

Support for collective human and social rights, religious tolerance anddiversity (close to left-wing);

Pursuit of decentralization, deregulation and deconcentration of publicpolicies and activities from the state towards civil society.

Left-wing parties include socialists and social-democratic parties.

Extreme left-wing parties (like communist parties) reject political pluralism andprivate property, and defend state-regulated, centralized and planned economy.

Right-wing parties include Christian-democratic and conservative parties inEurope. Extreme right-wing parties are nationalistic (and neo-fascist) parties.

Strong legal and social order;

Free initiative and entrepreneurship;

Abstention from interfering in economy and market;

Defense of religious values;Reservations towards collectivism, cooperation, community and active social

services and state aid.

POLITICAL PARTIES 14 - 15

o easily distinguish parties from oneanother we often divide them into right-wing, left-wing, and center parties. In

practice there are so many varietiescombining traits of different types. InBulgaria, the political parties abide by thePolitical Parties Act. As of 2014 there are400 registered parties in Bulgaria alone.

Stronger commitment of the state to the economy;

Support of the regulating, social and redistributive functions of the state;Commitment to community and equality;

Little support of unregulated market models and relations.

What we can do with ourconstitutionally guaranteed politicalrights is to give a vote of confidence toa political party because we believe itdeserves based on the ideas that thisparty represents are close to our own.

We may also be pro-active and becomea member of a political organization.It might seem far-fetched but it reallycomes down to your willingnessto participate. Ultimately you may

become our representatives who will take good decisions to make Bulgaria abetter place to live.

POLITICAL PARTIES

key to active

citizenship?

What are

the main typesof political parties?

Left-wingparties stand for:

Right-wingparties stand for:

Centreparties stand for:


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ELECTIONS 16 - 17

Majoritarian system this is a system in which the candidate who receivedmost votes in a single constituency (local or national) wins. Tis is a systemin which we vote for personalities. Tis system could be:

Proportional system this is a system in which the seats in collectivebodies are distributed based on the votes candidates receive. Tis is a systemin which we vote for party lists.

Mixed-member proportional representation system half of thecandidates are elected by majority voting and the other half are elected underthe proportional system.

Every proportional system has athreshold defined as the minimum

number of votes a party needs to winin order to receive a single seat in acollective body. With low turnout the threshold is low.

Absolute majoritarian a candidate is elected if they receive 50% of allvotes + 1 more;

Relative ( first past the post) a candidate is elected if they receive mostvotes, regardless of the number of candidates.

Preferential a variation of the proportional system. On the ballot thereis a place to mark a vote for political party but also a place to vote for a

specific candidate on that party list. Te winning candidates are not theones on top of the list but those who receive most votes within the list.

Regular after the legally defined term of office of the state body expires.

Presidential these are absolute majoritarian elections. Tey are held everyfive years. Te President and the Vice-President are allowed a maximum oftwo terms.

Parliamentary these are proportional preferential elections. Te term ofoffice of Bulgarian MPs is four years.

Local election for mayors (absolute majoritarian elections) and local council(proportional elections) held every four years.

European these are single-constituency proportional preferential elections

held to elect 17 MEPs from Bulgaria every five years.

Depending on regularity:

Referendum is a direct vote of citizens of a state,region, municipality on an issue of social significance.Every Bulgarian citizen enjoying electoral rights andfulfilling legal requirements has the right to participateand vote.

What isthe electoral threshold?

Types of elections

What isa referendum?

What types of elections are held in Bulgaria?

WHAT AREthe types of electoral systems?Early when the term of office is terminated earlier then the law provides.

Extraordinary under extreme, often crisis conditions when urgentelections of new representatives is needed.

Sequential or run-off elections in absolute majority systems where firstvote failed to produce a winner according to the electoral rules.

National and local. As EU Member State, Bulgarian citizens have the right toparticipate in European referenda.

o hold a national referendum, the supporting signatures of 500 000 Bulgariancitizens (of legal age and fulfilling voting requirements) are required.o hold a local referendum, the initiative may come from the mayor, 1/5th ofthe local councilors or a committee that has collected the signatures of 1/5thof the population having voting rights.

What typeof referenda are there in Bulgaria?


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EUROPEAN INSTITUTIONS 18 - 19

he European Council is composed by the heads of state and governments(presidents or prime ministers) of all member states and the Presidentof the European Commission. he Council has a permanent Presidentelected for two and a half years (with the right to be reelected once). heEuropean Council sets the goals of the European Union and EU course ofaction to achieve those goals. he Council gives impetus to main politicalinitiatives and EU priorities and decides on delicate matters that theEU Council of Ministers could not decide upon. he European Councildiscusses current international affairs under the Common Foreign andSecurity Policy. he European Council cannot adopt legislations ratherit finalizes each summit with a set of conclusions which summarize themain messages of the discussions. he European Council decides mostlywith consensus.

Te Council of the European Union (a.k.a. Council of Ministers) comprisesof ministers of governments of the Member-States. Depending on the agendathe Council of Ministers sits in different configurations. For example, if the

Council will discuss environmental issues the environmental ministers will beinvited for a session of the Environment (ENVI) Council. Similarly there willbe Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) Council and Competitiveness(COCOM) Council and so on. States take turns to chair the Council for sixmonths (so called Presidency). o ensure continuity the different Presidencieswork closely in groups of three. Te roikas prepare a working program forthe Council for 18 months. Bulgaria will chair the Council in 2018.

What are the powers of the European Commission?

Te Council has five major powers:

ogether with the Council of the EU, it exercises the legislative power itadopts laws. Te adoption of laws by the only body directly elected by citizensguarantees the democratic legitimacy of the European legislation.

Exerts democratic supervision over all institutions of the EU (and especiallythe Commission). It has the power to approve (or reject) the candidate for theEuropean Commission President and the nominees for the commissionersand has the right of vote of non-confidence to the Commission as a whole.

ogether with the Council of the EU, it has powers regarding the European

budget and may influence the way the EU spends its money. After a complexbudget procedure is completed, the Parliament may approve or reject thebudget as a whole.

o adopt EU legislation (in many cases together with the EU).

o coordinate policies of member states in different areas (such as theeconomic sphere).

o develop Common Foreign and Security Policy based on the directionsgiven by the European Council.

o conclude international agreeements between the EU and one or morecountries or international organizations.

o adopt EU budget together with the European Parliament.

Drafts the proposed legislative acts which are then sent to the Parliamentand the Council for discussion and adoption;

Leads and carries out EU policies and manages the EU budget;

Supervises the implementation of the EU legislation together with the EUCourt;

Represents the EU on the international scene.

What are the powers of

the European Parliament?

What arethe main powers of the Council of theEuropean Union?

What isthe European Council?


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Yes, the basic rules are outlined in theConstitution and further developed inthe Electoral Code. Te current act wasadopted by the National Parliamentearly in 2014 and came into force onthe 5th of March 2014. All activitiespertaining to elections are carried out inaccordance with the Code setting thedate, electoral campaigns, composingof electoral committees, preparation ofballots, forming of polling stations in Bulgaria and abroad, the election day,appeals, etc.

According to the Constitution and the acting Electoral Code, the President

calls the elections for parliament, local authorities or European Parliamentat least 60 days before the date on which the elections will take place. Tepresidential elections are called by the National Assembly again 60 days inadvance.

Central Electoral Committee, Regional Electoral Committee and SectionElectoral Committee.

Representatives of parties and coalitionrepresented in the National Parliament,as well as the parties and coalitions withrepresentatives in the European Parliament aslong as they desire to do so.

ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN 20 - 21

An electoral campaign isthe organized attempt ofdifferent candidates ororganizations to inform andmobilize parts of societywith voting rights to votefor them in parliamentary,local or other elections. Tishappens at a specific phasebefore the election date.

During that time we witness concentrated advertising of different candidates.

What are the main tasks

in an electoral campaign?

What isan electoral

campaign?

Opinion polls;

Public relations;

Meetings of candidate/candidates of a certain political party or coalitionwith voters;

Organizing different events;

Publishing and distribution of campaign materials.

Creating of sustainable image of the candidate;

Massive information campaign to establish good positioning of thecandidate;

wo weeks before the last day of the campaign, activities to underline thedifference between the candidate and their main opponents.

What are the main stages of an electoral campaign?

What is CEC, REC, SEC?

ELECTIONS

Is there an act

to regulate elections?

WHO MAYcall elections?

Who are

the members

of the electoral

committees?


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Yes. In parliamentary, presidential and European elections CEC appointsSEC abroad. Teir composition is based on the same principles as thecomposition of SEC in Bulgaria and the only difference is that one of SECmembers must be a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

electoral committees the subsidiarity principle applies. Tis means thatall complaints (or problems) are resolved at the lowest possible level. Forexample if you see someone campaigning just outside the polling stationyou may submit a complaint to SEC and it can immediately decide on thematter. Te decision can be appealed before REC (MEC) and in turn theirdecision can be appealed before CEC.

Voting can take place only basedon electoral lists, prepared in

advance by the local authoritieswith the help of the Ministryof the Interior and directorategeneral Civil Administrationand Administrative Services.Te lists of people according to their permanent addresses are based on datafor the people with voting rights in the respective municipality or region. Telists are signed by the mayor of the municipality and stuck in a public placeclose to the respective polling station, and published online, well in advance,allowing citizens to check whether they are included in the list.In case you cannot find your name on the list, you may request to be added

to it with written declaration to the municipal authorities. If you cannot findyour name on the election date you may request that SEC chairman includesyour name on the list.

ELECTIONS 22 - 23

CEC is in charge in ensuring that the election arecarried out in accordance to the law. CEC supervisesthe Regional (or Municipal) Electoral Committeeand the Section Electoral Committee, drafts rulesregarding different aspects of the campaign, makesall decisions regarding procedures, methods fordistributing votes. It is the authority deciding on

complaints, disputes, etc. It registers all parties, coalitions, initiativecommittees, independent candidates. It approbates the ballot and thenumber for each candidate, as well as sections and their numbering. CECis appointed by the President for five years. Te composition of the CECas well as other electoral committees should reflect the proportion of theparties and coalitions represented in the parliament.

Te Regional Electoral Committee is responsible for all elections exceptthe election of local authorities when a Municipal Electoral Committeeis formed. Teir powers are similar and the differences stem from thedifference in the type of elections.

REC (MEC) is appointed by CEC and is responsible for the elections inits corresponding region. REC (MEC) registers supporters of participatingparties, coalitions and candidates. It also provides official copies of theresults to registered participants. When parliamentary or local electionsare held candidate lists should be registered with REC or MEC respectivelyotherwise they will not be allowed to run regardless of their registration

with CEC. Te same rules apply to independent candidates.

Whatdoes CEC do?

What isSEC?

Are thereother committees?

How can Icheck if I can vote?

It is the electoral committee that directly supervises the election day, thevoters and the violations in the election day within a polling station. It isappointed by REC (MEC) and is responsible before the appointing body.Te SEC can add voters to the voting list under certain conditions. SECcan also decide on complaints. In fact in regulating the powers of the

Where do you vote?You always vote at a specific place calledpolling station. You can find which is yourpolling station in the electoral list. You

can also check your polling station online at the CEC website - www.cik.bg.

What isREC (MEC) responsible for?


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24 - 25

Yes, you may. If youcannot vote at thepolling station at yourpermanent address,you may vote based onyour current address .o do so, you have tofile a request beforethe local authoritiesand be added in theelectoral list. In caseyou want to vote inlocal elections youhave to prove that

you have been living at your current address for at least 6 months. Teprocedure for students is a bit easier. In all elections except local ones youmay vote in the place where you study only showing your valid studentska/uchenicheska knizhka (student book) and sign a declaration that you will

not vote anywhere else.

SEC starts counting the votes. Before that, SEC appoints one person who willtouch the ballots on the table. Tis one person opens the ballot box, dropsthe ballots on the table and starts arranging them in piles according to theirvalidity, the vote and if they have preference marked. All other SEC membersobserve carefully but are not allowed to take part in the process. After sortingthe ballots the results are tallied and entered in a protocol.

Te protocol contains the total number of voters, the number of invalidand valid votes, the number of votes for each party/coalition/independentcandidate and the number of ballots with preferential voting. Te protocolmust be signed by all members of SEC even if they do not agree with thefindings (reservations are allowed). Ten the SEC chair and secretary (whichshould be from different parties) take the protocol to REC/MEC where allprotocols are gathered. REC/MEC checks SEC protocol and give the chairand secretary a special receipt with results.

May I vote

someplace else?

What happenswhen the election day is over?

Yes. Tere are three ways to do so to be an obser ver,to be a supporter of a party/coalition/candidate or bea journalist.

In all three cases you will receive a special badgewhich will give you access to the whole pollingstation with the exception of the dark room (if thereis a voter inside) of course. Apart from observing andhaving access everywhere, you may also witness theopening of the ballot box, the counting of votes andyou may request a stamped copy of the protocol.

Every Bulgarian citizen of legal age who is a part of an NGO, which shouldregister you with CEC. Foreign citizens may also be observers, but they areregistered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Supporters are in the same position the only difference being that they areproposed by parties or independent candidates and their main task is todefend the interests of their proponents.

It is your civic duty to inform the authorities or the members/chair of SECthat you have witnessed a violation.

What if I see a violation?

What are the violations that will be sanctioned according to the current

law and international standards?

May I

observe

the election day?

Who may bean observer or supporterof a political party?

Campaigning in election day, buying of votes, controlled vote, illegalcampaigning in media masked as advertising or news;Inadmissible campaigning, derogating the prestige and reputation of thecandidate or leadership of political parties.

ELECTIONS

Choose to Participate

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