1 October 2007: Too many would-be chiefs

Bulgaria is having local elections this month, and so many candidates are standing that the ballot papers will be 2 metres long.

The Election Authorities have announced they will have to import more than 11 million envelopes to accommodate the ballot papers because the ones available locally are not large enough.

The Administration Minister is also concerned that the ballot boxes may be also too small, though that will depend on how many people turn out to vote. Bulgaria has more than 70 political parties and coalitions, so voters may decide it's all too complicated and just stay at home.