At 5:00 p.m. today, the deadline for the registration of candidate advocates in the candidate lists of the parties, coalitions and initiative committees, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC) schedule, expires.
An advocate can be a person who has reached the age of 18, is not placed under interdiction, is not serving a sentence of deprivation of liberty and has not been convicted of an intentional crime of a general nature.
One person can be an advocate on only one candidate list, except in cases where he is proposed to participate as an advocate in both types of elections by the same party or coalition with registered candidate lists and in the elections for members of the European Parliament (EP) from Bulgaria, and in the elections for people's representatives. The same person can be registered in more than one district as an advocate of the same candidate list in the elections for members of the European Parliament from Bulgaria. Advocates are not tied to a specific constituency. On election day, two or more advocates on one candidate list cannot be present at the polling station at the same time. From the same party, coalition or initiative committee, only an advocate or representative can be present in the election room.
The registration of advocates in the country is carried out by the relevant Regional Election Commission (REC) through an application for registration of advocates according to a model. The application from a party or coalition is signed by the representative of the party or coalition or by a person expressly authorized by him/her. In cases where the application is signed and/or submitted by authorized persons, a copy of the relevant power of attorney certified by the attorney shall be submitted. The application of the initiative committee is signed by the person representing the initiative committee. A list of persons must be attached to the application of the party, coalition or initiative committee – on paper in one copy and on technical media in an appropriate format, as well as a declaration by the persons. The list is signed in the order of signing the application for registration and is submitted by the representative or by a person authorized by him/her.
The application for the registration of advocates is filed by the relevant RIC in the incoming register for the registration of advocates and substitute advocates.
After checking the persons whether they meet the requirements for their registration as advocates, the RIC adopts a decision on registration and issues certificates to the registered advocates, in one copy according to the model.
The refusal of RIC to register an advocate or to issue him a certificate can be contested before the Central Election Commission in accordance with Art. 73, para. 1 of the Electoral Code.
Registration of advocates outside the country is carried out by the CEC.