CEC Orders Recalculation of October 2024 Election Results
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has given election services provider Information Services until 9 a.m. Wednesday to recalculate the results of the October 2024 parliamentary elections. Initially set for Monday, the deadline was extended after Information Services submitted relevant paperwork to the prosecution on March 10, CE Report quotes BTA
CEC Deputy Chair Tsvetozar Tomov stated that Information Services CEO Ivaylo Filipov informed them of plans to install a new server by Tuesday noon before starting the recalculation. The CEC has provided the company with election protocols in paper format and electronic storage devices, in compliance with a Constitutional Court ruling from February 26.
The Constitutional Court had been approached by several parties challenging the election results. After conducting a recount in 2,204 polling stations, the Court instructed the CEC to recalculate the results on February 26. The CEC then tasked Information Services with the recalculation by March 10.
On March 10, the Sofia City Prosecution Office (SCPO) requested all materials related to the computer processing of election results. Information Services stated that it returned all original documents received from the CEC and does not possess any copies.
Constitutional Court President Pavlina Panova questioned why Information Services could not process data from 2,204 polling stations in seven days, given that election results from over 12,000 stations are typically processed in under 72 hours. She suggested possible obstruction in the process.
Prosecution Investigates Missing Ballots
The SCPO is also investigating missing ballots from the October elections. Acting on an alert from Information Services, prosecutors opened a case on March 7. The State Agency for National Security has been assigned to conduct a review.
The SCPO has requested extensive documentation from both the Constitutional Court and the CEC, including details on how ballots were handled, the experts’ methodology for determining valid votes, and forensic analysis procedures. However, the Constitutional Court declined to provide certain documents, stating that ongoing cases remain confidential until a ruling is issued.
The CEC is preparing the requested documents, currently spanning eight folders, and will submit them to the prosecution service in phases as they become available.
