Election cttee throws out referendum initiatives

Budapest, June 9 (MTI) – The National Election Committee (NVB) on Thursday threw out three referendum initiatives submitted by the same person concerning the release of information on public funds and rules governing fraud or embezzlement involving public assets.

The first referendum question sought to ensure full public access to all agreements concerning the state budget, European Union funding for Hungary as well as publicly owned assets.

The committee ruled that if all agreements were to be published, personal information contained therein should be published, too. Personal data, however, are protected under the constitution, and a constitutional amendment would be necessary. But a referendum cannot be held on the constitution.

The second question similarly sought the release of documents concerning the privatisation or lease of state-owned assets, and a ban on classifying related information. The body again cited the protection of personal information and turned down the initiative.

Through the third question, the proponent sought to change the penal code so that budget fraud, embezzlement or abuse concerning national assets or public funds should never become obsolete and continue to be punishable without statute of limitation.