Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved expenditure for the preparation and carrying out of the presidential elections on October 22.

The funds needed would remain below 22 million leva, State Administration Minister Nikolai Vassilev said. The sum could be optimised and taken down further, Vassilev said.

The exact amount of financial resources to be allocated would be known within days, an official Council of Ministers press release said.

All expenditure related to the elections was included in the calculations used to determine the sum. For the first time voters would use one integral ballot.

The ballot boxes would be transparent and manufactured for the first time in Bulgaria. Voters would be able to cast a ballot in 12 000 polling stations throughout the country.

Funds would also be needed for the wages of administrators, Interior Ministry and municipal representatives who would work during the elections day.

Tariffs and fees for the broadcast of electoral materials were also determined today. Each candidate would have to pay for the television and radio commercials to be presented during the campaign period.