Bulgaria’s MPs voted in favor of the mandatory voting at first reading. The parliament also approved the establishment of a separate voting district for Bulgarian voters outside the country. The Bulgarian members of Parliament adopted 11 out of 14 proposals regarding amendments to the Election Code. They also shortened at first reading the election campaign period from 30 to 21 days. The MPs also backed at first reading the introduction of administrative penalties for those Bulgarian nationals who fail to cast their ballots. Following long debates in plenary hall, the MPs rejected the proposal of the nationalistic Ataka party about the introduction of a minimum educational qualification for voting.