On 16 October 2026, a delegation of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe conducted a visit to Sofia, Bulgaria, in the framework of the preparation of the Opinion on voting rights of persons serving a prison sentence and persons under guardianship. The Opinion was requested by Mr Nikolay Naydenov, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Bulgaria.
 
The delegation of the Venice Commission had exchanges of views with the Minister of Justice, the Ombudsperson, the Central Election Commission, as well as with representatives of the parliamentary majority and the opposition. The delegation also held online meetings with representatives of civil society organisations on 13 October 2026.
 
The draft Opinion will be submitted for adoption at the 149th Plenary Session of the Venice Commission (11-12 December 2026).