Parliamentary Elections, 8 April 2018

Following an invitation to observe the parliamentary elections in Hungary scheduled for 8 April 2018, based on the findings and conclusions of the Needs Assessment Mission deployed from 29 January to 1 February 2018, and in accordance with its mandate, ODIHR is preparing to deploy a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM) for these elections.

Long-term observation

The OSCE/ODIHR LEOM, headed by Douglas Wake, consists of 9 international experts based in Budapest. In addition, ODIHR requested the OSCE participating States to second 10 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country from 14 March.

The OSCE/ODIHR LEOM will assess the elections for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor voter and candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Election Day

In line with the OSCE/ODIHR methodology, the OSCE/ODIHR LEOM will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of voting, counting and tabulation on election day. Mission members will, however, visit a small number of polling stations on election day.

The day after the election, ODIHR will issue a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be issued approximately two months after the completion of the electoral process.

ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission press conference, 9 April 2018, Budapest

Previous elections

The OSCE/ODIHR has observed four parliamentary elections in Hungary since 1998, most recently the 2014 parliamentary elections.