CEC: Yotova leads Veliko Tarnovo Province with 39.64% after 100% of protocols processed

The ticket headed by Iliyana Yotova and Kiril Valchev received the most votes in Veliko Tarnovo Province in the first round of Bulgaria's presidential election on 25 October 2026. According to the Central Election Commission's (CEC) official online results, by 6:00 a.m. on 26 October it had processed 100% of the polling station protocols submitted to the regional election commission for the province.

Results in Veliko Tarnovo Province

Yotova and Valchev received 17,530 votes, or 39.638% of the valid votes counted. Andrey Gyurov and Georgi Kandev received 10,140 votes (22.928%), while Kostadin Kostadinov and Petar Volgin were third with 6,620 votes (14.969%).

They were followed by Ivelin Mihaylov and Yuliana Mateeva with 2,682 votes (6.064%) and Radostin Vasilev and Krasimir Manov with 1,880 votes (4.251%). The 'None of the above' option received 1,931 votes (4.366%).

What 100% of protocols processed means

This represents the full set of polling station protocols entered for the province as of the stated time, but it should not be confused with a legally final and formally declared election result. The election authorities must still complete the prescribed verification and certification procedures. These percentages reflect votes for candidates and the 'None of the above' option, not voter turnout.

Veliko Tarnovo Province's results differ from the national picture, so regional percentages should not be treated as nationwide results. This article reports the precise snapshot published by the CEC at 6:00 a.m. on 26 October.

Source: CEC — official results for Veliko Tarnovo Province as of 6:00 a.m. on 26 October 2026

Photo: Element5 Digital / Unsplash (Unsplash License). Illustrative image of voting documents, not from the 2026 presidential election in Veliko Tarnovo Province.