The court, citing findings by the European Court of Human Rights, established that because the state already has registries at its disposal, it must ensure voting rights without registration. However, it also ruled that for some voting groups, such as citizens living permanently outside Hungary, and members of groups wishing to vote on so-called “nationality lists”, the introduction of registration is justified, as it helps support their voting rights.

The court also struck down as unconstitutional a part of the act which would have restricted political advertisements to state media, as well as barring such ads in cinemas during the campaign, and voided as unconstitutional the banning of political opinion polls in the six days prior to elections.

No prior registration will be introduced at the next elections in 2014, Fidesz caucus leader Antal Rogán confirmed on Friday in the wake of the court ruling. The decision was reached following consultations with Orbán and Fidesz executive members, he said, adding that it was always important to Fidesz that democracy operate normally, predictably and in a balanced manner. A possible constitutional amendment would generate prolonged political and legal disputes and create a feeling of turmoil among voters, he said.

Source: Hungary Around the Clock

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