July 8 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria will hold early parliamentary elections on July 11, after none of the three biggest political formations that entered the National Assembly after the April 4 regular vote - GERB-UDF, TISP and the Socialists, failed to put together a government coalition.
A total of 23 parties and coalitions are running for 240 seats in the unicameral National Assembly. To secure representation in parliament, a party or a coalition needs to win 4% of all valid votes at least. According to the most recent opinion polls, the main contenders in the forthcoming election are a coalition between GERB and right-wing Union of Democratic Forces (UDF), and populist formation There Is Such a People (TISP).
The members of parliament are elected for a four-year term by proportional representation in 31 multi-seat constituencies. Voters have the right to note a preference for a certain candidate on the party list.
Bulgarian citizens older than 18 years, residing in the country or abroad, are eligible to vote. Voters can use a voting machine or cast a paper ballot.
Campaigning for the election will close on July 9. No election campaigning is allowed on July 10.
Bulgarian nationals residing abroad will be able to vote at a total of 782 polling stations in 68 countries, according to data by the foreign ministry.
Polling stations in Bulgaria will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. local time on Sunday.