Sofia, 23 October 1996 (RFE/RL) -- Bulgaria's Constitutional Court has ruled that no minimum voter turnout is required in Sunday's first round of presidential elections in order to proceed to a second round.
The court made its ruling yesterday in Sofia. There had been speculation that low voter turnout might lead to a postponing of the election. The second round is now scheduled for November 3.
Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency. Socialist Party Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski earlier was barred by the Constitutional Court from running because he is not native born. The culture minister of the current government, Ivan Marazov, is now the Socialist Party candidate. The "united opposition" candidate is Petar Stoyanov.
The court made its ruling yesterday in Sofia. There had been speculation that low voter turnout might lead to a postponing of the election. The second round is now scheduled for November 3.
Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency. Socialist Party Foreign Minister Georgi Pirinski earlier was barred by the Constitutional Court from running because he is not native born. The culture minister of the current government, Ivan Marazov, is now the Socialist Party candidate. The "united opposition" candidate is Petar Stoyanov.