MISUSE OF PERSONAL DATA IN PARTIES’ REGISTRATION LISTS FOR EU ELECTIONS

An increasing number of Bulgarian citizens have reported that their personal identity numbers and names were used without their knowledge or consent in lists, which political parties submit to the Central Electoral Commission to register for the European elections. In order to be able to compete in the elections, the political parties have to present documents supported by signatures of thousands of citizens. 2 500 valid signatures are required for the registration of a party, a coalition or an initiative committee to be accepted.

It turned out that a large number of people identified their names were on registration lists of parties they never signed in favour of or supported.

For the first time the Central Electoral Commission has provided a facility for citizens to go on its website, enter their personal identity number and check if their names have been included as supporters of any political party or coalition.

The personal data of the Ombudsman of Bulgaria, Konstantin Penchev also appeared to have been misused. After he typed in his personal identity number on the Central Electoral Commission’s website he was surprised to find out that his name was included in the list of people who backed the National Democratic Party. The Ombudsman immediately alerted the Bulgarian Prosecutor General and the Heads of the CEC and the Commission for Personal Data Protection and said he would expect an adequate reaction.

For a day and a half, over 100 people have already submitted complaints to the Central Electoral Commission, reporting misuse of their personal data.

A working group was set up by the Central Electoral Commission in Bulgaria to deal with the reports of the citizens. This was stated by the spokesperson of the CEC, Kameliya Neikova for the BNT morning programme “The Day Begins”. She explained that all complaints would be forwarded to the Commission for Personal Data Protection and to the Prosecutor’s Office.