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| After Protests, Bulgarians Go to Polls | After Protests, Bulgarians Go to Polls |
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| SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday to choose a government to replace one forced to resign in the wake of a bloody crackdown on demonstrators protesting sharp increases in electricity prices. | SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday to choose a government to replace one forced to resign in the wake of a bloody crackdown on demonstrators protesting sharp increases in electricity prices. |
| Despite how it came about, the election has aroused little public interest and even less discussion about the demands of the protesters: improving living standards and putting an end to government corruption and incompetence. Many protesters called for a new and more representative form of government, such as an electoral system with direct representation instead of party lists. | Despite how it came about, the election has aroused little public interest and even less discussion about the demands of the protesters: improving living standards and putting an end to government corruption and incompetence. Many protesters called for a new and more representative form of government, such as an electoral system with direct representation instead of party lists. |
| Emblematic of the public’s deep disillusionment, Sunday’s elections are expected to return the same parties to power. | Emblematic of the public’s deep disillusionment, Sunday’s elections are expected to return the same parties to power. |
| The party of the former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, a former firefighter, karate champion and owner of a private security company, is expected to win the largest vote, though less than in 2009. Questions remain about what kind of a coalition government Mr. Borisov might create and how stable it might be. | The party of the former Prime Minister Boiko Borisov, a former firefighter, karate champion and owner of a private security company, is expected to win the largest vote, though less than in 2009. Questions remain about what kind of a coalition government Mr. Borisov might create and how stable it might be. |
| Accusations of corruption played out as just before voting began with the announcement that 350,000 illegal ballots had been found in a printing facility owned by a city councilor from Mr. Borisov’s party. The timing of the announcement — on Saturday, the so-called “day of consideration” when political campaigning and alcohol sales are banned before the polls open — raised claims that it was intended to damage the ruling party | Accusations of corruption played out as just before voting began with the announcement that 350,000 illegal ballots had been found in a printing facility owned by a city councilor from Mr. Borisov’s party. The timing of the announcement — on Saturday, the so-called “day of consideration” when political campaigning and alcohol sales are banned before the polls open — raised claims that it was intended to damage the ruling party |
| The Central Electoral Commission declined to comment. | The Central Electoral Commission declined to comment. |
| Sergei Stanishev, head of the opposition Socialists, the former Communists, called the illegal ballots massive fraud that was “unique in scale and arrogance.” In a news conference, Mr. Stanishev said that government of Mr. Borisov “has returned us to the 19th Century.” | Sergei Stanishev, head of the opposition Socialists, the former Communists, called the illegal ballots massive fraud that was “unique in scale and arrogance.” In a news conference, Mr. Stanishev said that government of Mr. Borisov “has returned us to the 19th Century.” |
| President Rosen Plevneliev, who is also from the same party as Mr. Borisov, said Bulgarians should avoid jumping to conclusions before the authorities had concluded their investigation. | President Rosen Plevneliev, who is also from the same party as Mr. Borisov, said Bulgarians should avoid jumping to conclusions before the authorities had concluded their investigation. |
| “I refer with confidence to the actions of institutions and support their efforts,” said Mr. Plevneliev. | “I refer with confidence to the actions of institutions and support their efforts,” said Mr. Plevneliev. |
| While the Prosecutors’ Office reported that the ballots were ready for distribution to polling places, some media reports have disputed the claim. The prosecutor’s office has not specified for which electoral region or regions the ballots were printed. | While the Prosecutors’ Office reported that the ballots were ready for distribution to polling places, some media reports have disputed the claim. The prosecutor’s office has not specified for which electoral region or regions the ballots were printed. |
| After the recent revelations, the Bulgarian blogger Asen Genov joked on Facebook that it was unclear whether “we still need to vote or have we voted already?” | After the recent revelations, the Bulgarian blogger Asen Genov joked on Facebook that it was unclear whether “we still need to vote or have we voted already?” |
| Tihomir Bezlov, an analyst of corruption from the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia, questioned whether the illegal ballots could have been used. | Tihomir Bezlov, an analyst of corruption from the Center for the Study of Democracy in Sofia, questioned whether the illegal ballots could have been used. |
| “Even if you did deliver the illegal ballots to polling places, how would they be introduced?” Mr. Bezlov says, noting that there is strict control and usually five people working in each polling place. | “Even if you did deliver the illegal ballots to polling places, how would they be introduced?” Mr. Bezlov says, noting that there is strict control and usually five people working in each polling place. |
| The most common scheme to buy votes in the last general elections in 2009 was by securing a patron or boss in a neighborhood, either through employment or money, Mr. Bezlov says. The boss would then ensure the votes of all the people in his area, usually with cash payments, food products, jobs or other support. | The most common scheme to buy votes in the last general elections in 2009 was by securing a patron or boss in a neighborhood, either through employment or money, Mr. Bezlov says. The boss would then ensure the votes of all the people in his area, usually with cash payments, food products, jobs or other support. |
| According to Mr. Bezlov, vote-buying should be less prevalent in this election because of the economic crisis -- parties have less money available — and because of a heavy presence of outside observers. | According to Mr. Bezlov, vote-buying should be less prevalent in this election because of the economic crisis -- parties have less money available — and because of a heavy presence of outside observers. |
| Mr. Bezlov expects more claims of electoral fraud as the day wears on. | Mr. Bezlov expects more claims of electoral fraud as the day wears on. |
| To avoid the election day ban on reporting exit results before polls close, Bulgarian media have found creative ways to report the results indirectly. | |
| The newspaper Dnevnik reported results through comic strips about its office staff, while the daily 24 Hours reported on the results of travelers going to various destinations, all making clear reference to Bulgarian political parties. |