The Bulgarian Association of Information Technologies (BAIT) has purchased shares in "Informatsionno Obsluzhvane" (IO), the company responsible for counting and processing Bulgarian elections. The acquisition was revealed during an extraordinary general assembly of IO, according to MediaPool. Details regarding the size and value of the stake remain undisclosed. This move raises questions about potential conflicts of interest, given BAIT’s role as an industry association and IO’s critical function in the electoral process. The acquisition could signify increased private sector involvement in Bulgaria’s election infrastructure. No immediate comment has been provided by either BAIT or IO regarding the strategic implications of this transaction. Further scrutiny is expected from election watchdogs and political analysts.