(1) Upon pre-term termination of the credentials of a mayor, by-elections shall be scheduled. By-elections of mayoralty mayor shall be scheduled only in the nucleated settlements which satisfy the requirements of Item 1 of Article 16 of the Territorial Administration of the Republic of Bulgaria as at the date of termination of the credentials of the mayor.

(2) (Amended, SG No. 39/2016, effective 26.05.2016) Within seven days after the pre-term termination of the credentials of a mayor, the municipal election commission shall notify the Central Election Commission of this circumstance.

(3) The decision of the municipal election commission shall be transmitted to the Central Election Commission within three days after the adoption of the said decision together with the document establishing the grounds for the pre-term termination of the credentials of a mayor.

(4) Within seven days after the receipt of the decision of the municipal election commission, the Central Election Commission shall propose to the President of the Republic to schedule by-elections of mayor.

(5) Within 14 days after the proposal of the Central Election Commission, the President of the Republic shall schedule by-elections of mayor not later than 40 days in advance of polling day.

(6) In the cases referred to in Paragraph (1), when less than one year remains until the end of the term of office, by-elections shall not be scheduled.