OSCE/ODIHR report on Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections recommends measures to strengthen public confidence in electoral process and improve media coverage

The early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 12 May 2013 were held in a competitive environment, but further efforts are needed to strengthen public confidence in the process and ensure balanced media coverage, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights concludes in its final report on the vote.

The document, released on 25 July 2013, stresses that more needed to be done to address the persistent issue of vote-buying to restore confidence in the electoral process, both through voter education and prosecutions, and that any allegations of attempts to pressure or intimidate voters be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted by the relevant authorities.

While the report notes that the media provided voters with a variety of information, it also states that a significant share of campaign information had to be paid for, creating an unequal playing field for candidates. It recommends changes to the legal framework to allow electoral contestants access to free airtime on public broadcasters, adding that measures should also be taken to ensure full transparency of media ownership.

According to the report, the legal framework provides a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, if implemented properly. It recommends a number of measures, however, to improve this framework, including adopting unified rules of procedure for complaints and appeals, granting the right to challenge election results to all electoral contestants, and introducing oversight mechanisms to ensure the effective implementation of campaign finance provisions.

The report also recommends that individuals who identify themselves as belonging to minorities be allowed to use their mother tongue in election campaigns, to promote their participation and understanding of the electoral process.