Study Trip to the 2026 Bulgarian Presidential Election

From October 21–26, 2026, our colleague participated in an international study trip organised by the European Platform for Democratic Elections (EPDE), focusing on the first round of Bulgaria’s presidential election.

The 13 participants from 11 countries met with leading Bulgarian experts on media, politics, and elections, as well as members of the Central Election Commission (see image above) and representatives of the National Police General Directorate. During the programme, participants gained insights into Bulgaria’s electoral system and observed election procedures firsthand, from the preparation of polling stations to the counting of votes.

Although participants were accredited as international election observers, the primary purpose of the study visit was professional exchange and learning about Bulgarian electoral practices, rather than assessing the conduct of the election.