SOFIA (Reuters) - So many candidates are running in Bulgaria's local elections next month that ballots stretch to 2 meters (6-1/2 ft) and won't fit into the country's largest envelopes.

Authorities said Thursday they will have to import more than 11 million large-size envelopes to accommodate the ballots of unprecedented length.

More than 70 parties and coalitions will run for mayors and municipal councilors in some of Bulgaria's 264 constituencies, with a joint ballot for all candidates.

Administration Minister Nikolai Vassilev was quoted by local media as saying Bulgarian-made envelopes are just too small and ballot boxes may be too small, too.