Budapest, 30 May 2024 - In the European Parliament, local government and national minority elections on 9 June, voters may cast their ballot using a mobile ballot box if they are unable to go to the polling station to cast their vote due to health, disability or detention.
It is important to note that it is not possible to apply for a ballot box on the grounds of working on election day, but it should be made available to employees on the basis of the amendment of Act I of 2014 on the Labour Code of 2022, and to professional staff (e.g. police officers) on the basis of Act XLII of 2015 on the Service Relationship of Professional Staff of Law Enforcement Agencies, to vote in elections for members of Parliament, members of the European Parliament, local government representatives and mayors, and members of the minority self-government, and in referendums.
On this basis, the employee may request that his/her employer authorise him/her to be absent during the voting period.
To apply for a mobile ballot box, voters must submit an application online, in person or by proxy, or by mail to any local election office.
A new feature compared to previous elections is that if a voter who has requested a mobile ballot box appears at the polling station, they can cast their vote there, provided the mobile ballot box is in the polling station.
It is important to underline that, in the case of an application for a mobile ballot box, the application also applies to all elections under the common procedure, i.e. general elections for members of the European Parliament, local government representatives and mayors, and minority representatives.
The deadlines for submitting an application for a mobile ballot box may vary depending on how it is submitted, as follows:
- can be submitted online to the National Election Office without client identification by 16:00 on 5 June 2024 (Wednesday);
- the application can be submitted online to the National Election Office by 10 a.m. on Friday, 7 June 2024, and thereafter until 12 noon on 9 June 2024, the application for the mobile ballot box can be submitted to the local election office;
- if the application is submitted by post, it must reach the local election office by 4 p.m. on Wednesday 5 June 2024;
- in person at the local election office by 10 a.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024;
- applications submitted through a delivery agent may be submitted to the local election office by 10 a.m. on Friday, 7 June 2024, or to the polling station commission by 12 noon on election day;
- in case of application by delivery service, the application may be submitted to the local election office by 4 p.m. on 5 June 2024 (Wednesday), and to the polling station commission by noon on the day of voting.
The deadline for withdrawing the application for a mobile ballot box is 10 a.m. on Friday 7 June 2024.