A national representative survey shows that the main motivation of voters to cast their vote is their low living standard. This is indicated by data from a survey conducted by the National Public Opinion Centre and commissioned by Transparency without Borders whose Coordinator Vanya Nousheva presented it before journalists.

The survey showed that a mere 4 per cent of the respondents would agree to cast their vote in the forthcoming elections if a party offers them to do so. A total of 27.5 per cent of these said it was acceptable to vote in return for payment because they needed money. About 13 per cent of the people said that "voting is in secret - I'll take the money and vote for whomever I have decided myself." According to 11.6 per cent selling one's vote is the only benefit of voting.

In Nousheva's opinion, people regard their refusal to sell their vote as an expression of free will and political right. Asked why they think they shouldn't vote for money 47 per cent of the interviewees responded that it is inadmissible to make business with their vote.

The survey also showed that in Bulgaria 20.9 per cent of the Roma, 7.7 per cent of the ethnic Turks and 2.9 per cent of the Bulgarians would agree to vote for a certain party for money.

Among Bulgarians, poverty is the main factor causing them to sell their vote (40 per cent), while none of the interviewed Roma gave low living standard as a motive. Nearly 39 per cent of the Roma said they would take the money and vote for whomever they had decided.

Source: BTA