Bulgaria went into a 24‑hour election silence today, Saturday, October 31, ahead of a presidential runoff scheduled for Sunday, November 1. According to a BTA report, the period began at midnight, ending when polling stations close at 8 p.m. (or 9 p.m. if voters remain outside).
BTA notes that the election code forbids all campaigning during the 24 hours before the election and on the day of voting. The prohibition also extends to the publication of public‑opinion polls by sociological agencies. Poll results may not be released until after 8 p.m. on election day.
The election is for both the presidential and vice‑presidential positions, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. in Bulgaria and 8 p.m. (or 9 p.m.) local time at voting sites abroad.
BTA adds that this practice, introduced after Bulgaria’s democratic transition in 1991, was not observed between 2009 and 2011. The country follows a broader EU tradition of an “election silence” period before major elections.
According to BTA, 16 EU member states—including Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Spain—observe a similar 24‑hour silence before European Parliament elections. The rule typically begins 24 hours before the vote and ends when polling stations close, as described in the BTA coverage of Bulgaria’s current election.
