Bulgarian police have arrested dozens of people in a crackdown on vote-buying ahead of next month’s parliamentary election, the Interior Ministry said on March 25.

The crackdown comes just over three weeks before Bulgaria’s April 19 early parliamentary elections, following the resignation of the government in December 2025.

Reports of election law violations have surged by 500-600% compared with the same period before the last election in October 2024, according to BTA.

Police operations targeting vote-buying were under way in at least five regions on March 25 — Burgas, Razgrad, Kyustendil, Montana and Shumen — according to Interior Ministry statements.

In Burgas, six people were detained on suspicion of vote-buying. During searches, police found €7,000 in cash, which they said lacked “adequate explanations.” The money was divided into envelopes of €50, each marked with names, Mediapool reported.

Separately, former Plovdiv municipal councillor Airi Murad was arrested during a police operation in the Stolipinovo neighbourhood of Plovdiv, local media reported. Authorities said officers found lists of names and a large amount of cash at his home.

Criticism of the broader institutional response has also emerged. Opposition figures, including Ivailo Mirchev and Bozhidar Bozhanov of the Yes Bulgaria! party, said prosecutors and the state security agency were not doing enough to dismantle vote-buying networks.

Bulgaria has long faced concerns over vote-buying, particularly in poorer regions, where cash or goods may be offered in exchange for ballots.