Home > 1. The principles of Europe's electoral heritage > BULGARIA - Joint Opinion on Amendments to the Electoral Code
 
 
 
Download file    
 
 
Paragraph 19
 

Frequent or numerous late amendments to electoral laws may cast doubt on the legitimacy of the democratic process. With the May 2016 revision, roughly 1/4 of the Electoral Code’s 498 articles were amended. In addition, several amendments were made to the Electoral Code’s supplementary, transitional and final provisions, including its annexes. The amendments of July and October 2016 were less numerous, but nonetheless added to the number of amendments introduced in May 2016. Even if many amendments are considered minor and not all relevant to presidential elections, the number of amendments is high and may complicate election preparations for stakeholders. This relates, among others, to candidates and their supporters, as well as the authorities involved in preparing the election and the role of the media. A large number of amendments close to the election may also confuse voters and undermine the credibility of the legal changes and subsequent electoral process in the eyes of the public.