FAQ - Elections to the European Parliament 2024 - National Election Office
- Who can be a nominating organisation in the election of the members of the European Parliament?
In the election of the members of the European Parliament, a party that is legally registered in the court register of civil organizations at the time the election is called.
- When did the citizens of other EU countries residing in Hungary receive a notification?
In February 2024, the National Election Office informed citizens of other EU countries residing in Hungary about the possibility of voting on the Hungarian list. If you would like to make use of this possibility, you can register to the electoral roll by 4 p.m. on Friday 24 May 2024.
- When were the citizens who are living outside the EU or not residing in Hungary informed?
The National Election Office sent a letter in January 2024 informing the citizens living outside the EU or not residing in Hungary about the elections of the members of the European Parliament and the possibility to participate in them.
- What can be done if someone has not received the notification?
If the voter does not receive the notification, if it is destroyed or lost, he or she can request a new notification from any local election office, which can be found at the mayor's office. The presentation of the notification is not a condition for voting.
- When will I receive a notification about where I can vote?
Based on the data of the electoral roll of 3 April 2024, the National Election Office will send a notification by 19 April 2024 (Friday) at the latest, informing the voters with Hungarian address in the register, where and when they can vote.
- For how many years do we elect the members of the European Parliament?
The 720 members of the European Parliament (including 21 Hungarians) are elected for five years.
- Do I have to submit separate applications for the electoral roll for each election?
No, it must be submitted as a single application covering all elections.
- Has the law changed, or will we still be voting in 2024 under the 2019 law?
1. In accordance with the 2022 amendment to the Fundamental Law, this summer, on 9 June, we will elect the members of the European Parliament (21 Hungarian MPs out of 720), the members of local government and mayors, members of the county assemblies, members of the capital assemblies and the mayor of the capital on the same day. Furthermore, the representatives of minority self-government are appointed at municipal, regional and in all cases national level.
2. In Budapest, an important change is that the members of the Budapest City Assembly will no longer be district mayors, but the 32 members will be elected directly by the voters of Budapest, on a list.
3. In settlements with more than 10 000 inhabitants, a compensatory list may be established by a nominating organisation which has nominated a candidate in at least two thirds of the single mandate constituencies of the settlement
4. The 2023 amendments to the Electoral Procedure Act changed the rules for submitting applications.
Under the new rules, voters can submit individual applications in the following ways:
in person
via a delivery agent
by post
online identification
without identification
in any local election office
from 1 December, 2023
- registration and removal from the nationality register
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- accessible polling station
- simplified information
- Braille-notice
- Braille-template
request and cancellation
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- prohibiting/allowing the provision of data for election campaign purposes
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For the 2024 general elections from 4 April 2024
- mobile ballot box request and cancellation
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- absentee voting and cancellation
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Submitting a request online with identification
The easiest and safest way to apply is to identify yourself online. There are several ways for voters to identify themselves when submitting an application online. For information on identification options, click here: https://kau.gov.hu/informacio/segitseg
Applications can be submitted online here.
Submitting an application in person
Voters can submit their application in person at any local election office. There is no need to fill in the form in advance, just bring a valid document proving your identity (identity card, passport or driving licence).
Submission of the application by proxy
The proxy may deliver the voter's application at any local election office if the voter completes Section 5 of the application form, which includes the power of attorney signed by 2 witnesses. They can also receive the decision of the electoral office by completing section (p) of the application form. The delivery agent may not make statements on behalf of the voter, the voter's statements must be contained in the application form signed by the voter. Application forms can be filled in and printed out by computer. After printing, it is important that the voter signs the form in the appropriate places (points 4 and 5).
Submitting an application by post
You can also submit your application for a ballot paper or registration by post. Applications for registration can be submitted on a continuous basis, but to be considered for the 2024 European Parliament elections, they must be received by 4 p.m. on 15 May 2024 at the National Election Office, any local election office or a foreign representation.
The application for a mobile ballot box can be submitted by post to any local election office until 4 p.m. on 5 June 2024 from the date of the election. The election office will process applications from 4 April 2024.
Application forms can also be filled in and printed out by computer. After printing, it is important that the voter signs the form in the appropriate place (point 4).
Decision on the application
As of 1 December 2023, applications for the register will be assessed by the National Election Office (NEC) in an automatic decision-making procedure. This means that in most cases a decision will be taken within a few seconds. However, in the case of submissions by proxy, without online identification or by post, if the name or place of birth given is different from the one on the register, the intervention of an administrator will be required, which will extend the time for the administration by 3 working days.
Notification of the decision
The NVI sends the decision - in the first instance - to the voter's citizen mailbox (https://tarhely.gov.hu/). You can also specify another delivery address (e-mail or postal address) in the request, or you can request to receive it in person. For those who do not have a citizen mailbox and do not provide any other contact details, the decision will be delivered to their home address by registered post with acknowledgement of receipt.
- When will the 2024 elections be held?
On June 9, 2024, the European Parliament elections, the local self-government elections, and the minority self-government elections will take place on the same day.