By-Election for Mayor Takes Place in Sofia’s Sredets District.

A by-election for mayor of Sofia’s Sredets district is being held today, the Municipal Election Commission (MEC) announced. According to the preliminary voter lists, 28,009 people are eligible to vote in a total of 43 polling stations across the district. Voting machines will be available in all polling stations, said MEC Chairwoman Polina Vitanova. Residents of the district are choosing from six candidates.

The reason for today’s by-election is the appointment of incumbent mayor Traycho Traykov (PP-DB) as caretaker Minister of Energy, a decision that led to the early termination of his mandate on February 20.

By a decision of the Municipal Election Commission on February 20, Traykov’s powers as mayor of Sredets district were terminated early due to his appointment as caretaker Minister of Energy. The decision followed a statement submitted by Traykov, in which he noted that he had been nominated to join the caretaker government and would take the oath before the National Assembly.

Traycho Traykov, nominated by the coalition We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria, is now returning to the electoral race to complete his term. He is facing five challengers: Georgi Nedechev of the Bulgarian Union for Direct Democracy, Ivan Tarpomanov of Freedom, Kiril Neshev of Bulgaria Can, Plamena Zayachka of BSP – United Left, and Veselina Yordanova of Vazrazhdane.

Voting in central Sofia will take place in 43 polling stations, with 28,009 eligible voters listed in the preliminary electoral registers.

Bulgaria is electing new local authorities in 13 locations across the country today. Outside the capital, by-elections are being held in the mayoralties of Chintulovo (Sliven), Lilyach and Vrattsa (Kyustendil), Gradishte (Pleven), Dolishte and Dedino (Kardzhali), Bata (Burgas), Badeshte (Stara Zagora), Oreshnik (Haskovo), Dolna Dikanya (Pernik), Grozdyovo (Varna), and Podayva (Razgrad).