First Conviction for Vote Buying Confirmed in Pleven, Bulgaria

Georgi Kandev, acting Secretary General of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Interior, confirmed on Monday that a first conviction for vote buying has been secured in the Pleven region ahead of the April 19, 2026 parliamentary elections.

The conviction follows police operations in Pleven district that resulted in the seizure of evidence including 17 notebooks and one ledger containing lists of names with corresponding sums, 113 sample ballots for the upcoming elections, and EUR 4,115 in cash. Three individuals have been detained and pre-trial proceedings have been initiated in connection with the vote-buying scheme.

The operations were conducted by specialized police officers targeting vote-buying schemes ahead of the elections. Kandev disclosed the findings in a Facebook post, stating that the evidence was uncovered during several actions carried out in the territory of the Pleven district.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the seized materials included 113 sample ballots for Sunday’s elections and 17 notebooks with names and amounts entered against them, along with one additional notebook containing lists of names, and amounts. The cash amount seized totaled 4,115 euros.

Kandev stated that three people have been detained and pre-trial proceedings have been initiated as a result of the operations. The conviction marks the first legal outcome in an ongoing investigation into vote-buying allegations ahead of the national vote.