Interim Municipal Minority Self-Government Representative Election

In the interim municipal minority self-government representative election, the entire municipality constitutes a single electoral district, regardless of whether its population is under or exceeds 10,000.

Endorsement Requirements

The number of endorsements required to become a candidate in the interim municipal minority self-government representative election is determined by the electoral committee that announces the interim election in its resolution.

Eligibility of Nominating Organizations

Only a minority organization that has been legally registered as a nominating organization can nominate candidates in the election. Therefore, minority organizations must re-register themselves to participate in the interim election.

Two or more nominating organizations may nominate a joint candidate.

Candidate Eligibility

A candidate must be a person listed in the specific minority registry, and they must meet the following conditions:

• The person must be eligible for election as a local government representative or mayor.
• The candidate must not have been listed as another nationality’s candidate in the general elections of 2014 and 2019 for minority self-government representatives, as well as in subsequent interim elections.

Declaration of Minority Representation

A person wishing to run as a candidate must declare on the A6 form for requesting endorsement sheets that they accept the representation of the minority and that they speak the language of the minority community and are familiar with its culture and traditions.

Endorsement

Endorsement Endorsements for municipal minority self-government representative candidates can only be made on a numbered endorsement sheet issued by the local electoral office with jurisdiction over the place of candidacy. The contact details of the local electoral offices can be found here.

Requesting Endorsement Sheets

Requesting Endorsement Sheets A minority organization that has been legally registered as a nominating organization can request endorsement sheets on the A6 form through an authorized representative. The A6 form can be submitted to the local electoral office of the place of candidacy without the need for authorization.

It is important that endorsement sheets can only be requested for voters who have the right to vote, as defined above, at the time of the request.

Name and Title Preferences

If a candidate has multiple first names, they may request on the A6 form that only one first name appears on the endorsement sheets, ballot papers, and official election website. Additionally, they can request the removal of the title "Dr." if it forms part of their name.

Receiving Endorsement Sheets

Receiving Endorsement Sheets The local electoral office will provide the requested number of endorsement sheets to the applicant no earlier than the 50th day before the election.

Thereafter, endorsement sheets can be requested and received during business hours on working days.

Authorized Recipients of Endorsement Sheets

The following individuals are authorized to receive endorsement sheets:

1, The voter who intends to run as a candidate.

2, The person designated on the A6 form as the recipient of the endorsement sheets.

3, A representative of the legally registered nominating organization, including:

a) the legal representative of the civil organization according to the court registry,

b) a person authorized by the legal representative of the organization to make declarations on behalf of the nominating organization via the P4 form,

c) a person authorized by the individuals mentioned in points a and b,

d) a person authorized by any of the individuals mentioned in points a-c through a notarized private or public document.

The electoral office will issue a receipt for the endorsement sheets. It is strictly prohibited to make copies of the endorsement sheets, even if they are not filled out.

Supplementary Endorsement Sheets

Supplementary endorsement sheets can be requested by submitting a new A6 form until the deadline for submitting the candidate announcement, i.e., by 16:00 on the 34th day before the election.

Name Use

Name Use If, after the initial issuance of the endorsement sheets, the name of the voter intending to run as a candidate or the name of the nominating organization changes, it will not be reflected on the additional requested endorsement sheets. The candidate and nominating organization will be listed on all endorsement sheets and the ballot papers with the name as it appears on the first set of issued endorsement sheets, even if the candidate’s surname changes due to marriage or another reason before the election day.

Data Provision for Eligible Endorsement Voters

Data Provision for Eligible Endorsement Voters At the time of issuing the endorsement sheets, the local electoral office will provide the nominating organization with the names, addresses, ages, and genders of voters eligible to provide endorsements in the municipality, free of charge. This database is complete, as the restriction on data release in Section 89(1) of the Electoral Act does not apply to this data provision. Therefore, this information can only be used for collecting endorsements, and its use for any other purpose, copying, or transfer to third parties is strictly prohibited.

The nominating organization must destroy the received data by 16:00 on the election day, and a report on the destruction must be created. The report must be submitted to the local electoral office from which the data was received by 16:00 on the 3rd day following the election. (The destruction report can also be submitted in signed, scanned form by the deadline.) A sample of the destruction report can be found here, although its use is not mandatory.

In addition to the above, the nominating organization can request the registry data up to two more times, on the 38th and 13th days before the election, based on a written request. A template for the request form can be found here. These data will no longer include the names, addresses, ages, and genders of voters who have requested that their data not be disclosed, and may only be used for direct political campaign purposes.

Collection of Endorsements

Endorsements can be collected anywhere without harassment, with the following exceptions:

• During working hours or while fulfilling work-related obligations at the workplace of the person collecting endorsements or the endorsing individual, under an employment contract or other work-related legal relationship.
• From an individual in a service relationship with the Hungarian Armed Forces or central state administrative bodies, at their place of service or while performing their official duties.
• On public transportation.
• In the official offices of state, local, and minority self-government bodies.
• In higher education and public education institutions.
• In healthcare provider facilities.
• On private property open to the public without prior written consent from the owner.

Endorsements collected in violation of these rules are invalid!

It is prohibited to offer or promise any advantage in exchange for an endorsement!

The endorsement sheet must include the name, personal identifier, or the identification number of the ID card/passport/driver’s license, as well as the signature of the person collecting endorsements. It is important for nominating organizations to pay special attention to ensuring that the person collecting endorsements accurately provides their details. If the collector’s information is incomplete or incorrect (e.g., misspelled personal identifier, incorrect name due to marriage), it renders all endorsements on the sheet invalid.

Additionally, all voters wishing to run for office and nominating organizations should refer to the recommendations provided by the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) regarding election-related data processing, which is available on their website (www.naih.hu). The NAIH's recommendations can be viewed here: https://www.naih.hu/adatvedelmi-ajanlasok.

Announcement of Municipal Minority Self-Government Representative Candidates

Candidates for municipal minority self-government representative must be announced by 16:00 on the 34th day before the election, together with the endorsement sheets, to the local election committee for registration.

It is not possible to submit endorsements in stages! At the time of the announcement, at least the required number of endorsements for candidacy must be submitted.

The E3 form is used for candidate registration. A portrait of the candidate can be attached to the E3 form if they agree to have it published on the official election website.

Submission of Endorsement Sheets

All issued endorsement sheets must be returned by 16:00 on the 34th day before the election to the local election office. Endorsement sheets without any endorsements must be returned by 16:00 on the 33rd day before the election. A blank endorsement sheet is one that contains no data. A sheet where data is crossed out or illegible due to corrections is not considered a blank sheet.

Endorsement sheets can be handed in by anyone, without the need for authorization, to the local election office.

Failure to comply with the obligation to return the endorsement sheets will result in a fine imposed by the local election committee. The fine is 1000 HUF per missing endorsement sheet. The fine is jointly imposed on the nominating organization of the candidate or all nominating organizations involved in the nomination of a joint candidate.

Verification of Endorsements

The local election office, which works alongside the local election committee, will verify the submitted endorsements within 3 days.

The representative of the nominating organization may be present during the verification, but cannot disrupt the process.

Verification will continue until the number of valid endorsements reaches the required threshold for candidacy. If the candidate or nominating organization requests, the election office will provide information on the results of the verification.

Registration of Municipal Minority Self-Government Representative Candidates

If the candidate announcement meets the legal requirements, the candidate will be registered by the local election committee no later than the 4th day after the submission.

If the registration is rejected due to insufficient endorsements, the nominating organization can request additional endorsement sheets until 16:00 on the 34th day before the election, by submitting a new A6 form. Additional endorsements collected and submitted on time will be added to the previously submitted endorsements.

Rules for Joint Municipal Minority Self-Government Representative Candidacy

Two or more nominating organizations can jointly nominate a candidate.

The endorsement sheet must be requested jointly by the nominating organizations using the A6 form, and the candidate must be announced together using the E3 form. Other than that, the rules for joint candidacies are the same as for independent candidates.

Withdrawal of Municipal Minority Self-Government Representative Candidates

A candidate is disqualified if:

• They are deleted from the central electoral registry before the start of the voting,
• They lose their eligibility to stand for election,
• The nominating organization or any organization involved in the joint candidacy is deleted from the register before the voting starts,
• The candidate submits a written withdrawal statement by 16:00 on the second day before the election, either electronically or in person to the election office responsible for registration.

In the interim election for regional national minority local government representatives, the entire county or capital city constitutes a single electoral district.

Only those national minority organizations may participate in the interim election (i.e., act as nominating organizations and submit lists) which met the list-creation requirements for the 2019 general regional national minority local government election.

In the interim election for regional national minority local government representatives, a national minority organization may submit a list if:

• It nominated candidates in at least 10% of the municipalities in the 2019 general national minority election and collected the necessary number of recommendations to create a list.
• Its regional list was registered by the regional electoral commission during the 2019 general national minority election.
• It is registered by the regional electoral commission as a nominating organization for the interim election.

No recommendations need to be collected in the interim regional national minority local government election. After the nominating organization is registered, the next step is the submission of the list.

Submission of the Regional National Minority List

The regional national minority list must be submitted no later than 33 days before the election, by 4:00 PM, to the regional electoral commission responsible for registration; in the capital, to the Metropolitan Electoral Commission.

Since no recommendations need to be collected, the only form required for submitting the list is the L6 form, which must be accompanied by the SZ5 form completed by each candidate.

The nominating organization determines the order of the candidates on the list, and once the list is submitted, the order cannot be modified. The regional list can contain up to three times the number of candidates as the number of representatives to be elected.

The nominating organization can withdraw the list or the nomination of a candidate no later than the last day of the submission deadline, i.e., 33 days before the election, by 4:00 PM. The L6 form is also used for withdrawal. Once withdrawn, a new list cannot be submitted by the nominating organization.

The candidates on the list may attach a photograph to the SZ5 form, and they may request that their first name or the "Dr." title not appear on the official election website or on the ballot. They may also request that their name be displayed in the national minority language.

Registration of the Regional National Minority List

If the submission meets the legal requirements, the regional national minority list will be registered by the regional electoral commission, or by the Metropolitan Electoral Commission for lists from the capital, no later than 4 days after the submission.

The list will be registered without the candidate if the candidate:

• Is not eligible (e.g., not listed in the national minority register).
• Was a candidate of another nationality in the 2014 or 2019 general elections, or in subsequent interim elections.

Exclusion of the Regional National Minority List

A regional national minority list will be excluded if:

• The nominating organization withdraws the list by 4:00 PM on the 33rd day before the election.
• All candidates on the list are excluded before the start of voting.
• The list or the nominating organization is removed from the register of nominating organizations, candidates, and lists by the electoral commission.

Data Provision for National Minority Voters

In addition to the above, the nominating organization can request the voter registry data up to two more times, on the 38th and 13th days before the election, based on a written request.

The organization must destroy the data received no later than 4:00 PM on election day. A protocol must be created about the destruction, and the protocol must be submitted to the regional electoral office from which the data was received no later than 3 days after the election by 4:00 PM. (The destruction protocol can be submitted in signed, scanned form by the deadline.) A sample of the destruction protocol is available [here], although its use is not mandatory.

We remind all nominating organizations that the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) has published recommendations regarding data management related to elections on its website (www.naih.hu). Compliance with these recommendations is advisable for all parties involved. The NAIH’s recommendations can be viewed at the following link: https://www.naih.hu/adatvedelmi-ajanlasok.

In the interim election for national minority local government representatives, the entire country constitutes a single electoral district.

Only those national minority organizations may participate in the interim election (i.e., act as nominating organizations and submit lists) which met the list-creation requirements for the 2019 general national minority local government election.

In the interim election for national minority local government representatives, a national minority organization may submit a list if:

• Its national list was registered by the National Election Commission in the 2019 general national minority election.
• It is registered by the National Election Commission as a nominating organization for the interim election.

No recommendations need to be collected in the interim national minority local government election. After the nominating organization is registered, the next step is the submission of the list.

Submission of the National Minority List: The national minority list must be submitted no later than 33 days before the election, by 4:00 PM, to the National Election Commission.

Since no recommendations need to be collected, the only form required for submitting the list is the L6 form, which must be accompanied by the SZ5 form completed by each candidate.

The nominating organization determines the order of the candidates on the list, and once the list is submitted, the order cannot be modified. The national list can contain up to three times the number of candidates as the number of representatives to be elected.

The nominating organization can withdraw the list or the nomination of a candidate no later than the last day of the submission deadline, i.e., 33 days before the election, by 4:00 PM. The L6 form is also used for withdrawal. Once withdrawn, a new list cannot be submitted by the nominating organization.

The candidates on the list may attach a photograph to the SZ5 form, and they may request that their first name or the "Dr." title not appear on the official election website or on the ballot. They may also request that their name be displayed in the national minority language.

Registration of the National Minority List: If the submission meets the legal requirements, the national minority list will be registered by the National Election Commission no later than 4 days after the submission.

The National Election Commission will register the list without the candidate if the candidate:

• Is not eligible (e.g., not listed in the national minority register).
• Was a candidate of another nationality in the 2014 or 2019 general elections, or in subsequent interim elections.

Exclusion of the National Minority List: A national minority list will be excluded if:

• The nominating organization withdraws the list by 4:00 PM on the 33rd day before the election.
• All candidates on the list are excluded before the start of voting.
• The list or the nominating organization is removed from the register of nominating organizations, candidates, and lists by the electoral commission.

Data Provision for National Minority Voters: In addition to the above, the nominating organization can request the voter registry data up to two more times, on the 38th and 13th days before the election, based on a written request.

The organization must destroy the data received no later than 4:00 PM on election day. A protocol must be created about the destruction, and the protocol must be submitted to the National Election Office from which the data was received no later than 3 days after the election by 4:00 PM. (The destruction protocol can be submitted in signed, scanned form by the deadline.) A sample of the destruction protocol is available [here], although its use is not mandatory.

We remind all nominating organizations that the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) has published recommendations regarding data management related to elections on its website (www.naih.hu). Compliance with these recommendations is advisable for all parties involved. The NAIH’s recommendations can be viewed at the following link: https://www.naih.hu/adatvedelmi-ajanlasok.