CEC Sets Rules for Bulgaria's October 25 Presidential Election

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has approved the rules for registering political parties, coalitions and initiative committees seeking to participate in Bulgaria's presidential and vice-presidential elections scheduled for October 25.

Parties and coalitions must submit their registration applications to the CEC no later than 5 p.m. on September 9, which is 45 days before election day. Along with the application, they must provide a list containing the names, uniform civil numbers and handwritten signatures of at least 2,500 voters supporting their registration.

Each party can run independently or join a coalition with other parties. However, coalition names or abbreviations cannot duplicate those of parties registered under the Political Parties Act by the date the National Assembly's decision scheduling the election is published in the State Gazette.

The rules also prohibit coalitions from using a name or abbreviation identical to one registered with the CEC for the April 19, 2026 parliamentary elections. They cannot use the name of an existing parliamentary group either, including by adding words, letters, numbers or other symbols to an otherwise identical name.

Changes to a coalition's composition, including the departure or addition of parties or a change of name, must be declared to the CEC by September 19, 2026, or 35 days before the vote. A party or coalition may also ask to have its election registration canceled no later than September 22, 32 days before election day.

Independent presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be nominated by an initiative committee consisting of at least 21 voters with permanent addresses in Bulgaria. Initiative committees must submit their registration application, signed by all members, no later than September 14, or 40 days before the election.

Initiative committees may subsequently request that their registration be canceled. The CEC must receive such a written request, signed by the person representing the committee, by September 19.

The election rules also set deposits for participants. Initiative committees must pay an interest-free deposit of 51.13 euros, while parties and coalitions are required to deposit 1,278.23 euros.

The October 25 election will determine Bulgaria's next president and vice president, with the CEC now having laid out the key deadlines and requirements for political formations and independent candidates seeking to take part.