Trade in the Regional Election Commissions (RICs): Are GERB and “Vazrazhdane” Playing Together? – Mihail Dinev

Mihail Dinev shares his direct observations from the consultations for the Regional Election Commission (REC) in the city of Burgas and expresses serious doubts about prior secret agreements between the parties GERB and “Vazrazhdane” aimed at gaining control over the electoral process and concealing potential manipulations.

Consultations on the Composition of the Election Commission in Burgas

Mihail Dinev attends consultations at the regional administration in the city of Burgas. The participants select the composition of the Regional Election Commission. This commission oversees the organization of elections at the local level. It is responsible for preventing fraud and manipulation during the vote and for managing electoral lists. Local media report a lack of agreement among political forces regarding the selection of a chairperson and secretary. However, Mihail Dinev observes what he describes as clear and prior understanding among the participants in the room.

Suspicions of a Prior Arrangement Between GERB and “Vazrazhdane”

The regional coordinator of the GERB party enters the meeting room second to last. Those present notice that only one political force is still absent at that moment — “Vazrazhdane.” Its representative enters immediately after the GERB coordinator. This behavior creates the impression of a prior arrangement outside the room. The meeting protocol shows only two candidates for the chairperson position. The GERB and “Vazrazhdane” parties nominate the only candidates for the post.

Control Over the Electoral Process and State Institutions

The “Vazrazhdane” party nominates a candidate with no realistic chance of success. This move effectively secures the chairperson position in the commission for the GERB candidate. Mihail Dinev puts forward a hypothesis of coordinated political actions between the two parties both locally and in the National Assembly. Institutions responsible for election control are described as being led by specific individuals:

• The head of “Information Services” in the city of Burgas is said to maintain close connections with the GERB and DPS parties.
• GERB has five representatives in the Regional Election Commission.
• GERB also holds the chairperson position in the Regional Election Commission.
• The Central Election Commission is suggested to likely function under the same model.

Concealment of Potential Election Manipulations

This structure is described as guaranteeing full control over the electoral process. Political forces place their own representatives in key positions. When citizens submit reports of irregularities, responsible officials allegedly conceal the specific problems. These actions are presented as obstacles to the fair conduct of elections. Mihail Dinev acknowledges the possibility of personal error due to inexperience but nevertheless shares his direct observations from the political event.