Early elections of deputies to the People's Assembly (unicameral parliament) began today in Bulgaria.

APA reports with reference to TASS that around 12,000 polling stations were opened across the country at 07:00 in the morning local time, and most of them will vote using special machines, and 755 more stations will operate in 62 countries of the world.

About 6.6 million people are eligible to vote, but about 2.5 million are expected to vote.

Representatives of 22 parties and six coalitions take part in extraordinary parliamentary elections.

More than 6,500 candidates are competing for 240 deputy seats.

About 4,000 observers will monitor the course of the elections.

The first unofficial results of the vote will be known after the polls close at 20:00.