Bulgaria's interior ministry had received 181 reports of election law violations and breaches of citizens' political rights by 8am on polling day for president and vice president, the ministry said.

Of these, 151 were about vote buying, eight about illegal campaigning and one about corporate voting. Another 21 were about other violations linked to the vote.

Police have opened six criminal cases, four of them for offences under articles 167–169 of the Criminal Code. Two fast-track proceedings have also begun. Officers have issued 1,250 warning notices under article 65 of the Interior Ministry Act.

Police have also carried out 181 special operations across Bulgaria to prevent and counter crimes against citizens' political rights.

The ministry said polling day began calmly, with no violations or problems. Stoyanka Balova, spokeswoman for the Central Election Commission, told journalists at a briefing that all section election commissions had started work and no polling stations had failed to open. The stations were handed over to the relevant election commissions.

The ministry takes reports of violations and possible crimes linked to the vote around the clock on 02/90 112 98 and by email at [email protected].