"I don't see any problem with the organization of the elections. The problem is the electoral system". This was stated by the election expert Stoil Stoilov before the BNR.
"The one we are implementing was the only one that got through the parties in 2014. It was not wanted by the pundits. There were recommendations for mandatory preference, for a mechanical - mixed electoral system, for the German electoral system, for multiple preference. The only thing the parties have allowed is this unfortunate voluntary preference.
The parties must agree to open up the circle of decision-makers more widely. At the moment, parties are monarchies in which a very narrow circle of people make decisions, arrange the lists, etc. A mixed system would leave them with the need to seek 120 majority candidates who would compete in single-member constituencies. No one will want to bet on a lame horse because they will lose their mandate.
Mandatory preference means that there is no vote for a party if there is no vote for a particular candidate. However, the parties do not want to lose this toolkit of arranging lists. The party leaders ensure a guaranteed presence in the parliament".
He also commented on the appointment of well-known and well-liked personalities as leaders of lists, who then refuse to enter the parliament.
"This is a fraud from the point of view of the parties to the voters. In second or fifth place, it could be someone who is totally disliked, but he becomes an MP.
Stoil Stoilov also analyzes the proposals to impose a system similar to the Greek one, which would give a bonus to the winner of the elections.
"I am against this system. This is a career victory. It will only reinforce the shortcomings of this marketing approach to list building. It would be more useful to eliminate the dual leadership, to introduce a mandatory preference and a certain contingent of majority-elected deputies".
I am a known opponent of machine voting, the expert also stated in the show "Sunday 150".
"The machines were introduced on the basis of a journalistic rumor that in Bulgaria there are some big frauds in the sectional election commissions that the machines can overcome. About BGN 60 million were spent to buy the "iron" – the machines themselves. Every vote we spend about ten million to serve them – drive them, program them, reprogram them, check them, charge the batteries, keep them somewhere in storage, etc. The result of all these actions with the machines is to instill distrust in the electoral process.
Currently, instead of new technology to conduct elections, we have a kind of printers that print new paper ballots.
The machine does not allow an invalid ballot or an invalid vote. Due to this limitation, the number of votes "I do not support anyone" increased sharply.
The way out of this cycle of extremely low voter turnout is "for the parties to make it so that people recognize their efforts in their personal life program,", he pointed out.
"There are bought votes. First, because the parties buy, second - because there is no justice to condemn the brokers and party lieutenants. Most importantly, there are mental enclaves in the country for whom it does not matter who is in power. For them, the elections are just a way to make some leva".
He commented on the controversy surrounding the period until which the warehouse for the voting machines was rented.
"This is a minor issue from the voter's point of view. It is foolish for the public to be concerned with this technical matter. A noise is created in the system and instead of people concentrating on the programs of the parties, they deal with some warehousing issues".
Stoilov also commented on the change of members in sectional election commissions.
"I don't know if there is some very deep game, but it gives the impression that the electoral process is strangled by the political parties.
They suggest some people who should do their job. But in Bulgaria talking about training is very exaggerated. These are some instructions of about an hour and a half - two. It is not training to build a semi-professional understanding of what elections are. That's why the parties irresponsibly replace people at the last moment and appear very untrained in the SIK.
The protocol is not complicated, but it is labor-intensive, explained the expert.
"Mathematics up to the fourth grade is clearly not at a good level, because mistakes are made when adding three-digit numbers. The Bulgarian protocol is very telling. It was made as a notarial deed. Many people do not read the instructions. They are very clumsy".
"Are our elections free from violence, from external influences and are they genuine – democratic, according to these big criteria we are OK", Stoil Stoilov also noted.