Fraud accusations fly as Hungarians vote in contentious election

As Hungarians continue to vote, Orbán supporters are already preparing for a confrontation once the results come in after voting stations close at 7 p.m. Both camps are exchanging accusations of electoral fraud, with experts warning the outcome could be challenged in court no matter who wins.

Hundreds of international observers have descended on Budapest, while Orbán’s camp has set up its own monitoring groups. A dozen EU lawmakers from the right-wing Patriots for Europe group are registered as observers, alongside 100 observers tied to Orbán-aligned groups — setting the stage for what experts warn will be a clash of narratives with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which the Hungarian government has dismissed as politicized.

A documentary by independent journalists titled “The Price of a Voteâ€Â that aired on March 26 alleged widespread vote-buying and pressure on voters in favor of Orbán’s Fidesz party in rural communities. Eyewitnesses claimed the party offered cash in exchange for votes.

Mihály Gér, Green local councilor in the village of Albertirsa, told POLITICO that in his area people have been offered up to 30,000 forint — 80 euros — to vote for Fidesz.

Hungarian businessman György Wáberer said on Facebook on Sunday that he would give 300,000 forint to anyone who uncovered electoral fraud.

The same consortium that produced the “The Price of a Vote†documentary has organized a 2,400-strong network of observers in more than 100 locations across Hungary to document fraud, the DE! consortium press office told POLITICO. They plan to livestream any fraud allegations they detect on a YouTube channel.