“All signals received at the Ministry of Interior over vote buying are being checked,” said Rumyana Bachvarova, Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister for Coalition Policy and Public Administration and Minister of Interior, speaking at a press briefing on measures implemented to guarantee security and public order at the local elections and referendum.

In her words, a plan containing concrete activities, deadlines, and people responsible for the organisation and management of operational and security activities, and others was approved in August.

Ms Bachvarova commented the district directorates were taking measures related to regional specifics and control was being exerted over activities.

A national inter-establishment body was formed to coordinate the work of the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency for National Security (SANS), and the Prosecutor’s Office, Minister Rumyana Bachvarova noted.

In her words, there are also district inter-establishment units in charge of coordination and prevention of illegal activities.

“An agreement was inked with Transparency International - Bulgaria Association on cooperation on prevention and counteracting crimes and other law violations related to citizens exercising their rights to vote,” Bachvarova added.