Home > 5.1 Nature of the referendum > HUNGARY - Act CCXXXVIII of 2013 on Initiating Referendums, the European Citizens’ Initiative and Referendum Procedure
 
 
 
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5. Verification of the signatures
 

(1) Within one hundred and twenty days after that he has received, under subsection (1) of section 14, the signature sheets, the organiser may submit the signature sheets of the citizens’ initiative for calling a national referendum to the National Election Commission on one occasion for the signatures to be verified. The period specified in subsection (1) of section 18 and the temporary cessation under paragraph a) of subsection 19/B. (6) do not count in this deadline.


(2) Where the organiser makes a request for signature sheets seven days after the inconclusive expiry of the deadline for legal remedies against the decision to certify the question, or – in the case of a legal remedy – seven days following the publication, in the Official Gazette of Hungary, of the decision of the Curia, the deadline under subsection (1) shall be calculated from the seventh day after the inconclusive expiry of the deadline for legal remedies against the decision to certify the question, or – in the case of a legal remedy – from the seventh day following the publication, in the Official Gazette of Hungary, of the decision of the Curia.


(3) At the same time as the submission specified in subsection (1), but not later than the last day of the deadline for the submission of the signature sheets, the organiser shall hand over each signature sheet to the National Election Office. In case of a failure to comply with this obligation, the National Election Commission shall impose a fine of its own motion. The amount of this fine is one thousand forints for each signature sheet that has not been handed over.


(4) Signatures on sheets that are handed over with delay or additionally, or not by the organiser, or by virtue of subsection (1) of section 19/A., shall be invalid.