In Hungary there are two types of election bodies: election offices and election commissions. Election offices perform the secretarial tasks of election commissions, handle voter registration, carry out organisational tasks related to preparing and conducting elections, and provide information to voters, candidates and nominating organisations and operate an election information service. Election commissions ensure the fairness and lawfulness of elections, ensure impartiality, and, if necessary, to restore the lawful order of election. Depending on the competence and the territorial jurisdiction of the election commission, it may set the election date, register candidates and lists, decide on legal remedies (objections and appeals), and establish the election results. Election commissions include both elected and delegated members with equal rights.

The types of elections held in Hungary are as follows:

1. Members of the National Assembly (Parliament)

Hungary’s 199-member Parliament is elected through a mixed system: 106 MPs by relative majority in single-member constituencies and 93 from party or nationality lists. Elections are held every four years, in April or May, in a single round. In Hungarian parliamentary elections, a nationality can obtain a preferential nationality mandate if the number of votes cast for the nationality self-government’s list reaches one fourth of the vote number falling on one list mandate. A nationality self-government list that has not received enough votes to be allocated a preferential mandate is represented in the Hungarian National Assembly by a nationality advocate. Only Hungarian citizens are eligible to vote on parliamentary elections.

2. Members of the European Parliament

Members of the European Parliament from Hungary are elected through a proportional system, in which the entire country forms one constituency, and only party lists can be voted for. Elections are held every five years in a single-round, the seats are allocated according to the d’Hondt method. Hungarian citizens, and those EU citizens residing in Hungary who register to vote for the Hungarian party lists may vote on this election.

3. Local government representatives (mayors, councils)

Local elections in Hungary are usually held in the same year as the European Parliament elections, in a single round. Voters elect mayors and municipal councils, with different rules applying to municipalities up to and over 10,000 inhabitants, cities with county rights, and Budapest capital. Mayors are chosen by simple majority, while council members are elected through block vote or mixed systems, sometimes combined with proportional representation.

4. Nationality self-governments

In Hungary, nationalities may establish self-governments at local and national levels. Their members are elected during local elections, based on nationality electoral registers. Candidates may be nominated by nationality associations, and mandates are allocated according to the proportion of votes received.

5. National referendums

In Hungary, the National Assembly shall order a national referendum at the initiative of at least two hundred thousand voters, and may order a national referendum at the initiative of the President of the Republic, the Government, or one hundred thousand voters. The Fundamental Law and other laws specify the subjects on which no national referendum can be hold on. A national referendum shall be valid if more than half of all voters have cast valid votes, and it shall be conclusive if more than half of those voting validly have given the same answer to the question asked. The decision made in a valid and conclusive referendum shall be binding on the National Assembly.

6. Local referendums

Local referendums in Hungary allow citizens of a municipality or county to decide directly on local public matters. A local referendum shall be valid if more than half of all voters have cast valid votes, and it shall be conclusive if more than half of those voting validly have given the same answer to the question asked. The decision made in a valid and conclusive referendum shall be binding on the local government.