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Appointment of foreign representation observers for parliamentary by-elections

Appointment of foreign representation observers for the by-election of Members of Parliament

In elections where voting takes place at foreign representations, including the by-elections for members of the National Assembly, Act XXXVI of 2013 on Electoral Procedure ensures that nominating organizations that nominate candidates, as well as independent candidates, can appoint a maximum of two observers per foreign representation to monitor the work of the foreign representation election office and the conduct of voting at the foreign representation. Nominating organizations nominating a joint candidate are jointly entitled to appoint a maximum of two observers.

Only a voter registered in the central electoral register can be a foreign representation observer.

Foreign representation observers must be:

  • notified to the National Election Commission,
  • by 4:00 PM on the 9th day before the Hungarian election day.

The notification must contain the following information:

  • the name of the appointing independent candidate or nominating organization(s),
  • the personal identification number of the appointing independent candidate, or, in the case of a candidate without a personal identification number, the type and number of their official identity document, or the name of the notifier (the legal or authorized representative of the nominating organization),
  • the name(s) of the observer(s), the personal identification number(s) of the observer(s), or, in the case of an observer without a personal identification number, the type and number of their official identity document,
  • the foreign representation, and
  • date, signature.

The original document containing the notification can be submitted by anyone to the National Election Office operating alongside the National Election Commission at 1054 Budapest, Alkotmány St. 3., or it can be sent by post to 1397 Budapest, Pf. 547, provided it arrives by the aforementioned deadline. Furthermore, the notification can be submitted with an electronic signature via email or e-paper through Client Gate +. In the case of electronic submission, the signature of the appointing independent candidate's/nominating organization(s)' representative on the appointment must be authenticated with a qualified electronic signature, an advanced electronic signature, or a document authentication service with identity verification. In the case of submission via e-paper, the attached notification also needs to be authenticated.

Following the notification, the National Election Commission will register the foreign representation observer.

A registered foreign representation observer:

  • can monitor the work of the foreign representation election office,
  • cannot influence or disrupt the voting or the work of the foreign representation election office by any active or suggestive behaviour,
  • can record observations in the minutes drawn up on the completion of voting,
  • can lodge an objection,
  • can sign the sealed ballot box after the closing of the vote,
  • is obliged to wear a registration card in the polling station.

The costs associated with the appointment and activities of the foreign representation observer are borne by their appointer (nominating organization/independent candidate).

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