The Fidesz lawmaker said it was important to ensure that the election office is able to determine whether citizens who do not have a legal address in Hungary but are listed in the voter registry are indeed eligible to vote. On the topic of the disproportionality of electoral districts, Gulyás said he did not expect district populations to change significantly enough to warrant any changes to the current setup.

On the topic of state support for campaigns, Gulyás said the scheme was “a step forward” that ensured a level playing field among parties, adding, however, that some of the smaller parties who took up state support were unable to account for the finances.

Speaking about the voting rights of Hungarians living abroad, Gulyás said the government would not amend this section of the election law until the Constitutional Court reaches its decision on the complaint filed in connection with this rule. Gulyás said the rules on campaign ads in public areas are “worth debating”, adding that he will aim to ensure transparency in this area of the law.

Gergely Bárándy, (Socialist) deputy head of the committee, said there were sections of the election system that need changing, such as the disproportionate electoral districts. Bárándy cited Fidesz receiving over 90% of the mailed votes as another example of the system’s “flaws”.

He expressed hope that the Constitutional Court would soon reach a decision on the voting rights of Hungarians living abroad, but suggested that parties could begin talks on the matter before the court’s ruling.

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