The information notice is a notice on inclusion in the register, which calls the voters’ attention to the fact that they may vote in the election of the Members of the European Union. It contains information about calling the election, inclusion in the register and as to when, where and how it is possible to vote. The information notice will be sent to each voter by the clerk before 16 April 2004.

Anybody who has not received an information notice may apply to the clerk at the mayor’s office of their domicile.

The electoral district is the official premises that serve the voting of voters living in one dwelling environment the address of which voters can learn of from the information notice. Electoral districts shall be established in such fashion that one electoral district cover approx. 600-1200 voters, however, it is obligatory to establish at least one electoral district for each settlement.

Voters who intend to vote in their home country away from their domicile shall request a certificate of the clerk at the mayor’s office of their domicile. They can do that personally or through a delegate before 04:00 p.m. 8 June 2004, or by registered mail in such fashion that the letter shall have been received by the election office before 8 June 2004. The certificate my not be requested or issued by fax!

Voters staying abroad on election day may vote at the embassies of the Republic of Hungary provided that they are included in the register at foreign representations.

Voters may request of the head of the local election office of their address, personally or through a delegate having an authorisation enshrined in a private deed with conclusive force, before 14 May 2004 that they should be entered in the register at foreign representations. Inclusion in the register at foreign representations may be requested also by registered mail in such fashion that it shall have been received by the local election office the latest before 14 May 2004.

Simultaneously with entering them in the register at foreign representations, voters are deleted from the register of their domicile, therefore, they may cast their vote only at foreign representations. After 14 May 2004, voters may not be entered in the register at foreign representations.

Hungarian citizens of legal age, having a registered domicile in the territory of the Republic of Hungary, and staying abroad on election day who are included in the register at foreign representations may vote at embassies.

A valid Hungarian passport, or a real property in Hungary, or a registered (temporary) residence shall not in itself substantiate suffrage.

Applications for inclusion in the register at foreign representations shall be forwarded to the head of the local election office of the voter’s domicile (the settlement clerk), personally or through a delegate, or by registered mail.

Applications may be submitted by filling in the standard form serving this purpose or by supplying the data indicated on the form. Application forms are available at foreign representations, and at election offices, or can be downloaded from the web site www.valasztas.hu.

In the event that a voter submits the application through a delegate, the authorisation may be accepted if the voter has written and signed the authorisation with his/her own hand, or two witnesses verify by their signature on the authorisation that the voter has signed the authorisation not written by him/her in their presence, or has acknowledged his/her signature as his/her own in their presence, in this case, the witnesses’ address shall be also given on the authorisation. The authorisation shall set forth the fact the authorisation shall cover the submission of the application for inclusion in the register at foreign representation.

Applications shall be submitted personally or through a delegate before 14 May 2004 to the clerk of the voter’s domicile. In the event of registered mail, the letter shall have been received also before this date. This deadline is a term of preclusion.

If there is no objection to fulfilling the application, the clerk will immediately enter the voter in the register at foreign representations, and will simultaneously delete him/her from the register of his/her domicile.

The clerk will refuse to fulfil the application for inclusion in the register at foreign representations if the applicant does not have the right to vote, or if the data provided are incomplete.

The clerk will immediately inform the applicant about inclusion in the register at foreign representations or dismissal of the application for inclusion in the register at foreign representations, at his/her address in Hungary, or at a foreign address given by the applicant, directly or by mail.

Against the clerk’s decision refusing applications for inclusion in the register at foreign representations, voters may lodge a reserve with the clerk having made the decision, in 3 days from receipt of the notice. The clerk will decide the reserve in 3 days.

The clerk’s decision refusing the reserve may be contested in three days from the date the decision is communicated, therefore, the clerk will immediately inform the voter about its decision to refuse the reserve. Against the decision the voter may lodge a reserve with the local court of his/her domicile, in Budapest with the Pest Central District Court. The court will decide the application for legal remedy in 3 days and will immediately inform the voter and the head of the local election office about its decision.

Hungarian voters who have a domicile in another Member State of the European Union may exercise at their discretion their right to vote in that Member Sate. In this case, they may be entered in the register of voters in compliance with the electoral rules of law of the given Member State, and will vote on candidates running there. On the strength of the notice received from the Member State concerned, the National Election Office will register these voters. Simultaneously, the National Election Office will inform the head of the local election office of their address, who will delete such voters from the register. The citizens concerned shall be immediately informed at their address in Hungary about such deletion.

The election bodies of Members States will send the particulars of voters voting in their country to the citizens’ country where they are deleted from the register.

These citizens may vote if they establish an address on settlement level with the clerk, in this case, they may vote in the electoral district designated by the clerk, the address of which they can learn of from the local election office.

Voters who have impaired eyesight or are unable to read, or who are hindered by their physical handicap or other cause from voting, may rely on the assistance of another voter, or, for lack of it, two members of the ballot counting committee jointly, in the electoral district. They may call them even to the polling-booth, and there in accordance with the voters’ instruction they may fill in the ballot paper together. It is also possible to vote with mobile ballot-box. In such case, on request, the members of the ballot counting committee will visit such voter. According to the standpoint of the National Election Office, voting with mobile ballot-box is an exceptional case of voting outside the polling-station, and shall serve solely to ensure voting of voters hindered in motion at the time of the elections.

Requests for voting with mobile ballot-box shall be notified to the head of the local election office before the day of voting, or to the ballot counting committee on the day of voting. At foreign representations it is not possible to vote with a mobile ballot-box.

Anyone who is in hospital on the day of voting may only vote if they have a certificate. In possession of the certificate they shall have themselves entered in the register of the electoral district on the territory of which the hospital is located. The certificate may be requested from the clerk of their domicile (see the question "How can citizens away from their domicile vote?"). Requests for mobile ballot-box may be notified to the election office before the day of voting, or to the ballot counting committee on the day of voting competent on the territory of the hospital.

In the election of the Members of the European Parliament the following election committees are operated:

 

• ballot counting committees
• local election offices carrying out the tasks of ballot counting committees at settlements having a single electoral district
• ballot counting committees at foreign representations
• regional election committees
• the National Election Committee.

Ballot counting committees operated in Hungary consist of members elected by the board of representatives of local governments in 2002 before the parliamentary elections, and members delegated by political parties setting up lists in the election of the Members of the European Parliament.

Ballot counting committees operated at foreign representations consist of three elected members and one alternate member.

Political parties setting up a list may nominate one person to each ballot counting committee operated at foreign representations. Out of these persons the National Election Committee will select the members of the ballot counting committee by a draw, and then out of them the alternate member also by a draw. The Parliament will vote on the proposal on persons so developed.

Additionally, political parties setting up a list will at their discretion send delegated members into as well each ballot counting committee operated at foreign representations. The costs of the service of these members will be borne by the delegating parties.

Only the members of ballot counting committees may take part in ballot counting.

While ballots are counted, only the members of ballot counting committees and the representatives of the media, and foreign election observers may be present, the latter, however, may not disturb the work of the ballot counting committee.

Public opinion polls may be made any time, however, on election day, in order to ensure the calmness of voters and undisturbed voting, only on the following conditions:

 

1. they shall be anonymous and based on voluntary participation,
2. public opinion researchers may not enter the polling station and the building where the polling-station is,
3. public opinion researchers may not harass voters, or force them to make a statement, and may ask only those leaving the polling-station.

As a matter of fact, in polls answering questions is voluntary. It is an important rule that findings of public opinion polls may not be published form 5 June to 07:00 p.m. 13 June 2004.

Only political parties registered with legal force may set up lists in the election. To set up a list it is necessary to have the proposals authenticated by signature of minimum 20 000 thousand voters. A voter may propose only one list. Each of the proposals of those who propose more lists, or submit several proposals for one list will become invalid. Proposal is made by filling in the proposal slip delivered to the voter and handing it over to the nominating organisation; it may not be withdrawn. Proposal is voluntary, therefore it is prohibited to accept or offer money or benefits.

Election takes place in a proportional election and list voting system. Candidates are indicated on the list in the order notified by the party.

The number of mandates that can be obtained is equal to the number of seats reserved in the European Parliament for the representatives of the Republic of Hungary. Currently it is 24.

Only the parties that have won more votes than 5% of all the valid ballots cast on all the lists may be considered when awarding seats.

To award seats it is necessary to compile a chart in which a column of figures shall be made under the name of each list entitled to win seats. The first number in the column of figures stands for the number of ballots won by the given list, the second number for the half of the number of ballots won by the given list, the next number for the third, the fourth, the fifth, etc. Maximum as many numbers may be included in each column of figures of each list as many candidates have been put forward on the list.

The greatest number in the chart shall be identified, and the list whose column of figures includes it will be given one seat. After that, the next greatest number shall be identified, and the list whose column of figures includes it will win one seat. This procedure shall be pursued until all the seats have been awarded.

The election has one round.

There is no validity or conclusiveness threshold, consequently, irrespective of the number of voters who appear, voting will be valid and conclusive.

Against the decisions of the ballot counting committee, except for counting the ballots, reserves may be submitted to the regional election committee in 3 days; against the remedial decision of the regional election committee it is possible to have recourse to the metropolitan/county court.

Reserves lodged against the decisions of the National Election Committee will be decided by the Supreme Court. Reserves may be lodged in 3 days from making the decision; against the decision determining the result of the election, however, only in 1 day is it possible to have recourse to the Supreme Court. In the judicial proceedings legal representation is obligatory.

Reserves lodged against the decisions of ballot counting committees at foreign representations will be decided by the National Election Committee. Reserves shall be submitted to the head of the election office at the foreign representation, who immediately forwards them by fax or electronically to the National Election Office. Reserves may be lodged directly with the National Election Committee too.

In the European Parliament the Republic of Hungary will be represented by 24 elected members.

Valid identity card, passport, driver’s licence issued after 1 January 2001 serve to prove identity, and the so-called address certificate is to be used to attest address.

Union citizens may identify themselves in the electoral district with staying permit or domiciliation permit and the official certificate certifying address.

To vote at foreign representations, it is not necessary to present the official certificate certifying address.

On the grounds of the authorisation granted in paragraph (1) § 35 of Act C of 1997 on Electoral Procedure (hereinafter referred to as Procedural Law), election offices operated at mayor’s offices and county general meeting’s offices prepare, organise, conduct elections by providing voters, nominating organisations with information free from party bias, handling electoral data, creating technical conditions, checking if statutory conditions are in place and professional regulations are complied with. In order to inform voters, local election offices operate Election Information Services. The National Election Office edits a special Internet web site; its content follows the entire election process.

In Hungary an election office is operated beside each election committee, except for ballot counting committees. The secretariat related tasks of election committees are carried out by election offices. Election committees and election offices can always be accessed the same way as the mayor’s office or the county general meeting’s office.

The National Election Office::

Address: Budapest, IX. Balázs Béla utca 35.

Telephone: (1)456-6520

Fax: (1)456-6519

operated as part of the National Election Office

The Election Information Service::

The EIS can be accessed: 

Tel: (36-1) 456-6580

Fax: (36-1) 456-6579

In letter: 1450 Budapest, Pf. 81 

The addresses of election offices and committees at foreign representations you will find in our Guideline, and are available on the web site www.valasztas.hu.

The National Election Committee can be reached at the address, telephone and fax number of the National Election Office.

The key electoral and election related rules of law are as follows:

• Act XX of 1949 on the Constitution of the Republic of Hungary
• Act C of 1997 on Electoral Procedure
• Act CXIII of 2003 on the Election of the Members of the European Parliament.
• Decree …/2004. BM of the Minister of the Interior on the Implementation of Act C of 1997 on Electoral Procedure in the election of the Members of the European Parliament in 2004
• – Decree …/2004. BM of the Minister of the Interior on Determining the Procedural Terms and Deadlines of the Election of the Members of the European Parliament called for the election day in 2004
• – Decree …/2004. BM of the Minister of the Interior on the Norms, Items, Order of Accounting and Internal Audit of the Costs of the Election of the Members of the European Parliament to be held on 13 June 2004
• – Decree 10/1998. (II. 20) BM of the Minister of the Interior as amended by Decree 53/2003. (XII. 27) BM of the Minister of the Interior on Administrative Service Fees to Be Paid for Supplies of Election Data

Citizens’ change of address shall be registered with the clerk of their new address. Citizens will be given an official certificate certifying their new address, which is commonly called “address card”. If a document office is operated at your new address, then you are supposed to initiate issuance of the document there, in this case the term of administration is shorter.

Persons whose address has been turned fictitious, will not be entered in the register, subsequently, will not receive an information notice, proposal coupon either. If this problem emerges before the elections, then the relevant person shall be advised that he/she should register the address where he/she actually lives, or should establish an address on settlement level.

In the event that a citizen asks the ballot-counting committee of the address of his/her domicile indicated in the ID card or the address certificate on the day of voting to enter him/her in the register and has suffrage, then there is no statutory objection to register him/her.

The administrative body shall issue a public certificate to regularly certify the client’s particulars. The data content and term of validity of the public certificate shall be determined by law. After its expiry, the citizen cannot credibly prove his/her identity, address, that is why it is important to go to elect with a valid ID card.

Union citizens may prove their identity with staying permit or domiciliation permit and the official certificate certifying their address.

Those having expired documents will be refused by the ballot counting committee.

Pursuant to rules of law pertaining to registering address, citizens are allowed to register an address on settlement level, in this case, citizens will indicate the given settlement as address in their ID card.

At settlements with two or more electoral districts, it is necessary to designate an electoral district where citizens whose address contains, pursuant to the rule of law pertaining to registering address, only the name of the given settlement may vote.

The head of the local election office is obliged to ensure that the minutes made of the electoral district result of the election may be inspected for 3 days after the day of voting at the election office. The same rule applies to the minutes of electoral districts at foreign representations.

The national results of the elections may be inspected at the Election Information Service of the National Election Office, or on the Internet, or in national dailies.

As one of the signatories of the 1990 Copenhagen Document of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Hungary has undertaken the obligation to invite observers from other OSCE States and proper NGO’s to the elections to be held in the country. Accordingly, each election body is supposed to further foreign election observers’ lawful and successful work. Similarly to the representatives of the media, international observers of the elections may be present while election committees, so ballot-counting committees, are at work, however, they may not disturb their activity, or give instructions to them.

On the day of voting foreign observers of the elections:

1. may study the commencement and progress of the elections in any electoral district selected by them, on the premises;
2. shall report their intention to observe to the chairman of the ballot-counting committee on the premises;
3. may be given information regarding any and all issues of public interest regarding the elections;
4. may be present while ballots are counted and may be given information orally about the results;
5. may follow up the arrival, processing of election results at the National Election Centre; to this end, may attend press conferences, shall be entitled to receive preliminary information materials, may follow up the development of the election results.

The head of the regional and local election office may within their sphere of authority receive international observers in the territory of their competence. To ensure national registration, the National Election Office shall be advised that the accreditation has taken place.

In the absence of statutory limitations, local and minority by-elections and referendums on the same day as, or prior to or after the day of the election of the Members of the European Parliament may be held any time.