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Hidvéghi: Referendum papers are disappearing from mailboxes

The Hungarian government has set up an e-mail address and a free phone number to report missing papers.

Balazs Hidvéghi, the parliamentary state secretary of the Prime Minister's Cabinet Office, told a press briefing that referendum papers on the question of Ukraine's accession to the EU "are not reaching their recipients", as its increasingly evident that posted Voks 2025 papers are disappearing from mailboxes.

"Activists are taking the delivered ballots from mailboxes," Hidvéghi said, adding that "political forces at home and abroad" were trying to "prevent Hungarians from freely expressing their opinions".

He referred to an opposition "fake referendum" on Ukraine's EU accession, suggesting that 58 percent backed Ukraine joining the EU. The Ukrainian president then "referred to this opposition 'vote' and mentioned 60-70 percent support," he added.

The Fidesz politician said the government was adamant that all Hungarians had "the right to express their opinions on this matter".

He said 500,000 papers have been returned so far, which he called "gratifying", noting that the Voks 2025 papers must be returned by June 20.

Hidvéghi referred to "thousands of complaints" regarding missing papers, adding that these are being investigated, while the government is weighing the option of allowing voting online.