Justice minister Nikolay Naydenov met rapporteurs of the Venice Commission in Sofia, the ministry said. They discussed how to end the blanket ban on voting for prisoners and for Bulgarians placed under guardianship.

The commission will adopt its report and recommendations at a plenary session in December.

The European Commission for Democracy through Law, known as the Venice Commission, is part of the Council of Europe and gives advice on human rights. Its deputy chairman, Eirik Holmøyvik, led the delegation. Deputy minister Irena Borisova and ministry experts also attended.

Naydenov asked which solutions are possible and what other countries do in practice. The commission is now comparing how other countries deal with the issue.

The opinion was requested so that Bulgaria can carry out rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against it. The rulings come from two cases: Kulinski and Sabev, on voting rights of prisoners, and Anatoliy Marinov, on the rights of people under partial guardianship. The ministry says the court considers it incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights to restrict the right to vote automatically, without looking at each person's situation.

The Constitutional Court was also asked to interpret the voting ban in the Constitution. It refused. The ministry says the court found the text clear and not open to change through a binding interpretation.

Holmøyvik thanked the ministry for the chance to discuss the issue and look for the best possible options.

"Bulgaria is firmly committed to respecting human rights and to carrying out ECHR rulings effectively," Naydenov said. He said the ministry has made major efforts in recent years to solve the problem.

"The challenge for us is to find a balanced and legally sound solution," the minister added. He said the solution must take account of the standards of the European Convention and the particular position of the groups affected. Naydenov thanked the rapporteurs for again lending their expertise and experience in constitutional law, and said the commission's opinion and the comparative analysis will be very useful.

While in Sofia, the rapporteurs will also meet the parliamentary groups in the 52nd National Assembly, the Central Election Commission and the ombudsman.

Last week Naydenov and the French ambassador discussed judicial reform and future legal and constitutional changes in Bulgaria.