Bulgarian MPs pave way for compulsory voting in electionsMarch 10, 2016 - 20:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Bulgaria's parliament paved the way for the introduction of compulsory voting in elections on Thursday, March 10, passing a draft bill to amend the electoral code at its first reading, Reuters reports. The center-right government believes making it mandatory for Bulgarians to vote will curb electoral fraud and boost the legitimacy of the Balkan country's political institutions. European Union member Bulgaria has had five governments in less than three years. The last national election in 2014 saw the lowest turnout in 25 years, of about 51 percent, and produced a particularly fractured parliament. The bill passed on Thursday would allow non-voters to be sanctioned, either with a fine of about 50 levs ($27.75) or by having their social benefits withdrawn for three months. The amendments, approved by 121 votes to 27, will have to be voted on again, probably in late March. Bulgaria is due to hold a presidential election in October and elect a new parliament in 2018. "Compulsory voting would motivate more people to vote and we can expect bigger turnout," said Daniel Smilov, a political analyst at the Center for Liberal Strategies. "But it could limit smaller parties' chances to win seats at the parliament." In 2013, voter frustration with rampant corruption and organized crime erupted into months of street protests. Concerns about corruption and the judiciary have also kept Bulgaria and northern neighbor Romania out of the EU's borderless Schengen zone. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |