Signature collection can be started on copies of the signature collection forms which bear a validation clause. The time allowed for signature collection is 4 months for a national referendum and 2 months for national popular initiative (§28/E, Constitution).  The collection period starts on the day the signature collection form is validated and ends on the corresponding day of the relevant month. Signatures can not be collected on the day of parliamentary elections and the general municipal elections and 41 days before and after these dates. (Article (2) §3. Nsztv.)

During the collection of signatures, the statement of the data security commissioner must also be considered. The statement can be found on the following link:

http://abiweb.obh.hu/abi/index.php?menu=aktualis/allasfoglalasok/2003&dok=1330_H_2003_1

Signatures can be collected anywhere without bothering citizens except for the following places:

– at the workplace, during working hours, or during the completion of work governed by a contractual relationship,

– members of the armed forces and police on duty, at the office, or while carrying out tasks related to their mission,

– on vehicles of public transportation,

– in offices of state and local municipal authorities (Article  (1) and (2) §48 of Ve.)

The signature collected in any of these areas is invalid.  The signatures of those signing on multiple accounts are all invalid. (§50 Ve.)

Giving or promising benefits for the signature to the signatory or someone attached to the signatory, or asking for or accepting benefits for the signature is forbidden (Article  (3) §48 of Ve.)

Copying of the filled signature collection form is forbidden. The personal details of the signatory are private. (Article  (1) and (2) § 59 of Ve.)

The signature collection forms that were not submitted must be destroyed maximum 3 days after the deadline of signature collection.  The destruction of the non-submitted collection forms must be recorded into a log, and the log must be submitted to the National Election Committee within 3 days. (§60. Ve.)

The collected signatures can be submitted to the National Election Committee once before the deadline.  The signatures submitted as supplementary supporting signatures are invalid (. §11. and §19. Nsztv )

The verification of the signatures is carried out by defining of the number of valid signatures using mathematical and statistical methods, and for the electors signing the referendum initiative the use of the personal and housing information and the database of adults without the right to vote. If the utilized statistical and mathematical methods don’t indicate the necessary number of signatures, then the verification must be continued with the detailed checking of signatures until the success of failure of the initiative can be determined.  (Article  (1) § 119 of Ve.)

During the verification of the signatures, the representative of those submitting the initiative may be present. (Article  (2) § 119 of Ve.)

The signature verification must be completed within 45 days of the submission of the initiative. (Article (3) § 119 of Ve.)

If during signature verification, the suspicion of invalidity of some signatures arises, and the validity or invalidity of these signatures influences the success of the initiative, the National Election Committee may verify personal identity of the signatory via the personal and housing records’ central and regional authorities and with the help of the director of the local election office.

(Article  (1) § 120 of Ve.)

With the checking of personal identity as described in Article (1) the deadline of signature verification extends by 30 days. (Article (2) § 120 of Ve.)

An appeal can be submitted to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the National Election Committee within 3 days of the decision.  The Supreme Court has 3 days to review the appeal. (Article (1) § 82 of Ve.) The chairman of the National Election Committee informs the chairman of the Parliament on the initiative after the deadline of appeals if no legal action is taken or on the decision of the Supreme Court if legal action was taken. (Article (2) §9. Nsztv.)

Last modify: 2009.04.15.