CALL FOR OBSERVERS – MISSION TO THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION 2026

Agora Election Observation invites young people aged 18 to 35 from across Europe to join us as Observers for our upcoming Election Observation Mission to the Hungarian Parliamentary Elections on 12 April 2026.

The mission will take place from 8th April 2026 to 13 April 2026 and will be deployed in Budapest and several other locations across the country. Its primary objective is to assess youth participation in the electoral process.

As independent Observers with Agora Election Observation in Hungary, selected participants will receive training, carry out specific research assignments, and observe voting, counting, and tabulation procedures at various polling locations on Election Day. In the days preceding the elections, Observers will also meet with local, national, and international political stakeholders, civil society organisations, and youth representatives in Hungary.

The observation of elections by independent Observers contributes to the transparency and integrity of the electoral process and serves as a valuable instrument of democratic oversight. The findings of the mission will be compiled into a report, which will be published after the mission and shared with relevant authorities.

MISSION PROGRAMME
Prior to arrival in Hungary, Observers will be required to:

• Conduct background research on a specific topic related to the participation, involvement, and engagement of youth in the upcoming elections in Hungary.

On 8th April, Observers will arrive in Budapest.In Budapest, between the 9th and 10th April , Observers will:

• Take part in a briefing on the political situation of the country;
• Attend various meetings with local officials, political stakeholders, experts, scholars, and civil society representatives as well as, in particular, with youth organisations and youth activists in the country.

On the 11th April, Observers will:

• Be deployed in different locations in Hungary;

On the 12st April (Election Day), Observers will:

• Visit a number of polling stations to observe the opening, voting and closing processes throughout the day, as well as the counting and tabulation processes later that evening.

On the 13th April following Election Day, Observers will:

• Return to Budapest to attend a debriefing, and
• Discuss and summarise the findings of observations conducted with other Observers and the Coordinators.

-On 13th (evening) – 14th April, Observers will depart from Budapest.

REQUIREMENTS
To become an international Observer for Agora Election Observation, an applicant must:

• Experience from participating in election monitoring in the applicant’s home country, in a political party, or in non-governmental organisations is desirable, but not required. Other skills, education or experience related to Hungary, democratic systems or election observation are considered an asset.

• Be preferably between 18 and 35 years old;

• Have a solid command of English;

• Hold no citizenship of Hungary. Please note that Hungarian nationals are not eligible to apply as international election Observers for this mission. However, they can apply to support the mission as Interpreters;

• Legally reside in the EU and/or have the right to enter Hungary. Please be advised that Agora Election Observation does not issue visa invitation letters;

• Be available from the middle of March to conduct background research on the political situation of Hungary;

• Be fully available to travel to Hungary (latest travel day to Budapest is the 8th April and earliest travel day out of Budapest is on the 13th April after the debriefing session) and attend the entire deployment from 9th April to 13th April 2026;

• Be able to cover own costs for travel to and the duration of the mission¹.

• Experience from participating in election monitoring in the applicant’s home country, in a political party, or in non-governmental organisations is desirable, but not required. Other skills, education or experience related to Hungary, democratic systems or election observation are considered an asset.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Please fill in this application form. The application deadline is 15th March at 23:59 CET.
In case of questions, please contact eom.hungary2026@agoraelectionobservation.org

Agora Election Observation looks forward to your application.

• Our Missions are organised on a 100% voluntary basis and do not involve any remuneration or reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses. Participants are responsible themselves to have adequate health insurance coverage during the EOM. This applies to Coordinators as well as all members of the Agora Election Observation team

1. Our Missions are organised on a 100% voluntary basis and do not involve any remuneration or reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses. Participants are responsible themselves to have adequate health insurance coverage during the EOM. This applies to Coordinators as well as all members of the Agora Election Observation team ↩︎