Hungary plans to introduce a system of preliminary registration for the general election, a vote about the proposal is expected in parliament in September, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told public radio MR1-Kossuth on Friday.
Under the current system, a state compiles a registry of eligible voters using its own database, it will be changed so that anyone wishing to participate at the parliamentary election would be required to register, said Orban.
Those registering will be provided information and allowed the option to make proposals, he said.
The debate currently is mostly about whether for those registered beforehand, participation at the ballot should be made compulsory, said Orban.
Those who do not wish to vote will not be “disturbed” with election calls, campaign tools and by activists collecting recommendation slips, he added.
This whole system would give an indication well in advance about the proportion of those inclined to vote, the prime minister said.
Concerning ethnic Hungarians holding Hungarian citizenship in other countries, Orban said their registration would also be required for creating a list of eligible voters. He said ensuring these people the option of voting by an absente ballot was considered a reasonable solution.
The next general election in Hungary is due in the spring of 2014.
