European Parliamentary Elections
Registration of a Nominating Organization for the European Parliamentary Elections
The election of Hungarian representatives to the European Parliament is conducted using a proportional representation system with list voting, in which voters cast their vote for a list. Lists may be submitted by parties that are legally registered in Hungary in the court registry of civil organizations at the time of the election. Before the election, the party must be announced as a nominating organization by the National Election Commission. Parties on a joint list must each register separately as nominating organizations.
In the 2024 general elections, members of the European Parliament, local government representatives, mayors, and minority self-government representatives may also participate through a nominating organization, are subject to the detailed rules governing electoral office responsibilities and the establishment of nationwide election results, as defined in the 2/2024. (III. 11.) IM regulation, using the P5 form (hereinafter: "P5 form"). The party may be submitted by a person authorized to represent it. This person (or persons, in the case of joint signature rights) must sign the P5 form by hand.
Official name, abbreviated name and logo of the Nominating Organization
The name of the party must be indicated on the P5 registration form, along with the abbreviated name chosen by the organization, and the logo may also be attached to the notification.
It is important to note that the official name of the party must be the one that appears in the court registry of civil organizations. The abbreviated name listed in the court registry of civil organizations may be used as the primary abbreviated name, and only if this is not available may another abbreviated name chosen by the organization be used, which, however, may not be identical to the name or abbreviated name of another organization already registered in the court registry of civil organizations or in the registry of nominating organizations, candidates, and lists.
If the party has no registered abbreviated name in the court registry, it is important to choose one that has a grammatical connection to the official name of the party (e.g., an abbreviation or acronym derived from it), or one that logically relates to the party's activities.
The party's abbreviated name and logo will only appear on the ballot paper if they are provided or attached at the time of the registration. If the party fails to do so during the registration process, it will not be possible to submit a later request for the inclusion of the abbreviated name or logo on the ballot paper.
The detailed requirements regarding the resolution and format of the logo are included in the P5 registration form. It is also important to note that, under Section 5 (1) of Act CCII of 2011 on the Use of the Coat of Arms and Flag of Hungary and on State Honours, the coat of arms of Hungary, including its distinguishable elements such as the shield and the Holy Crown, may not be used as a symbol or as part of a symbol by a nominating organization.
Registering a Nominating Organization
The existence of a registered organization and the authenticity of its data are verified by the National Election Office in the court registry of civil organizations. Following this, the National Election Commission registers every nominating organization that meets the legal requirements no later than the fourth day after submission of the registration.
The public and official electronic registry of registered nominating organizations, candidates, and lists is maintained by the National Election Office and the election office operating alongside the election commission responsible for registration. Data on candidates and nominating organizations are obtained by the National Election Office from the central electoral register, the civil registry, and the court registry of civil organizations.
If a political party registered as a nominating organization is removed from the court registry of civil organizations, it will also be removed from the registry of nominating organizations.
Representatives of the Nominating Organization
The following individuals are authorized to represent the nominating organization (party) in the electoral procedure:
1, The legal representative(s): the person(s) listed as the representative of the party in the court registry of civil organizations.
2, The person authorized to represent the organization as indicated on the P5 form used for registering the party as a nominating organization.
3, Individuals authorized by the persons listed in points 1 and 2.
4, Delegation of representation: A representative authorized under points 1–3 may grant further authorization (delegate representation rights) by means of a private deed with full probative force or a public deed. Such a power of attorney must be attached to the submission (e.g., an appeal) and presented at the competent election office.
The authenticity of the representative’s signature is not verified by the election bodies, and they may not require the submission of additional documents (such as a specimen signature).