Helsinki File: Elections and referenda

The 2026 Citizen Election Report is a joint initiative of leading Hungarian civil society organisations active in election monitoring: 20k – Free Vote, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, K-Monitor, Mérték Media Monitor, and Political Capital. It aims to provide an authentic Hungarian perspective on the 2026 parliamentary elections, drawing on analyses by experts with decades of experience, as well as firsthand accounts of hundreds of ballot counters, election observers, and voters. 

Ahead of the April 12 elections, our latest briefing note is for everyone monitoring or closely following the Hungarian elections. We focus on selected aspects of the electoral environment that could be particularly relevant on … Read more

Background materials for election observation missions and delegations

The 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections are taking place in a highly polarised political environment, marked by entrenched systemic distortions in electoral competition. Recent developments confirm that the primary risks to electoral integrity stem not from … Read more

Beginning on 5 March 2026, investigative reporting produced by journalists with a proven track record of uncovering confidential information and subsequent institutional discussions raised questions about possible Russian interference in Hungary’s parliamentary elections scheduled for … Read more

In a joint submission to the Council of Europe, HCLU and HHC highlight the Hungarian government’s continued failure to reform the national minority voting system in spite of a European Court of Human Rights judgment, leaving most minorities without a real chance of parliamentary representation before the 2026 elections.

In April 2026, the Hungarian parliamentary elections will be a pivotal moment for democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in Hungary and for the entire European Union. There is a serious likelihood that they will be marred, yet again, by grave violations of both domestic and international standards for democratic elections.

As an electoral body, the Hungarian National Election Commission is unable to level the playing field, which favours the governing parties.

Since the last general election on 3 April 2022, the Hungarian Parliament has passed several amendments to the legal framework relating to elections.

Persistent systemic challenges continue to affect Hungary’s compliance with OSCE commitments related to democratic elections. Numerous long-standing OSCE/ODIHR recommendations remain unaddressed. The most pressing issues cumulatively contribute to an electoral environment that questions the overall fairness of the process.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee participated at the 2025 OSCE Human Dimension Conference. This 11-day conference was dedicated to discussions on the condition of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE area. The conference provided … Read more

The Article 7(1) TEU procedure against Hungary was launched by the European Parliament in 2018 to assess whether there is a clear risk of a serious breach of the Union’s fundamental values. Since then, the … Read more

The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association and the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression are working on reports on elections for the Human Rights Council in June … Read more

Hungary continues to deny equal voting rights to members of national minorities, despite the European Court of Human Rights’ final ruling in the Bakirdzi and E.C. v. Hungary case in April 2023.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s replies to requests to provide information by the Hungarian national focal point for the FRANET research network of the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA)

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee participated at the 2024 OSCE Human Dimension Conference and took the floor and provided written submissions on the situation of human rights defenders and civic space, on the rights of asylum-seekers … Read more

The 2024 Hungarian Citizen Election Report is a joint initiative of the most prominent Hungarian election-related organisations: 20k, Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Mérték Media Monitor, Political Capital, and Unhack Democracy. It aims to provide a credible picture of the European Parliament and local government election process through the eyes and experience of Hungarians, based on the analyses of experts with decades of experience and the personal observations of nearly a thousand poll workers who followed the voting process this year.

Hungary will hold multiple elections on 9th June:

• local elections of mayors and local government representatives,
• minority self-government representatives,
• Hungary’s Members of the European Parliament.

This Q&A provides practical information on the right to vote of NON-EU citizens (third country nationals) in the elections on 9th June 2024 in Hungary.

Are you an EU citizen in Hungary? See this guide.

Hungary will hold multiple elections on 9th June:

• local elections of mayors and local government representatives,
• minority self-government representatives,
• Hungary’s Members of the European Parliament.

This Q&A provides practical information on the right to vote of EU citizens in the elections on 9th June 2024 in Hungary.

Are you a non-EU citizen in Hungary? See this guide.

On 9 June 2024, Hungary will hold elections for Members of the European Parliament, local government representatives, and representatives of minority self-governments. These will be the first nationwide elections since 3 April 2022, when Hungary … Read more