Hungarian polling stations closed Sunday, with independent firms set to release last-minute pre-election surveys despite the absence of exit polls.
Polling Stations Closed, Surveys Imminent
Hungarian voters have finished casting their ballots in parliamentary elections. While official exit polls will not be released, several independent and credible polling agencies are preparing to publish final pre-election surveys conducted just before the close of voting.
Szabolcs Panyi, a Hungarian journalist, reported on platform X that the survey results are under embargo until polling stations close, but are consistent with previous opinion polls, suggesting no major surprises.
Vote Counting and Initial Results
Vote counting will begin immediately after 7:00 PM local time, when polling stations close. The National Election Office (NVI) anticipates releasing initial partial results, including the percentage of votes tallied, around 8:00 PM.
Electoral System Details
Hungary’s parliament, the National Assembly, consists of 199 deputies. 106 are elected in single-member districts, while the remaining 93 are chosen from national party lists. In each district, the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of achieving a majority.
Eligible voters cast two votes: one for a candidate in their district and another for a party or national minority list. Voters abroad cast only one vote, for a national list.
Turnout and Thresholds
As of 5:00 PM, voter turnout reached 74.23%, with 5,587,935 people having voted. A 5% threshold applies to political parties, 10% to two-party coalitions, and 15% to lists of three or more parties. The D’Hondt method is used for allocating seats from party lists.
Five party lists and 12 Hungarian minority lists were registered for the election, but the main contest is expected between the Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the TISZA party led by Péter Magyar.
Results Anticipation and Vote Counting Process
Vote counting commences immediately after 7:00 PM, with preliminary results expected around 8:00 PM, according to the NVI. Hungary does not conduct exit polls.
Overseas Voting and Final Result Timeline
Ballots from abroad must arrive by the fourth day after the election and be counted by April 18th. A close race could delay the final result until Saturday. This year saw record numbers of registered overseas voters—over 90,000—and absentee ballots—nearly 224,000.
Evening Events and Candidate Statements
Orbán and Fidesz will hold their election night event at the Balna complex on the Danube, while Magyar and TISZA members will gather at Batthyány Square, opposite the Hungarian Parliament.
Orbán’s Pledge to Respect Results
After casting his vote in Budapest, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated he would respect the election outcome and congratulate the winner if the opposition prevails, emphasizing that “the people’s decision must be respected,” but also asserting his intention to win.
Magyar’s Confidence and Acceptance Conditions
Péter Magyar, leader of TISZA, expressed confidence in his party’s victory, stating that “no one seriously believes that TISZA will not win the election.” He added that the possibility of securing a two-thirds majority, needed for constitutional changes, remains open, and he will accept the results if no significant fraud occurs.