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Hungary holds referendum on EU mandatory migrant plan Hungary referendum rejects EU mandatory migrant plan
(about 1 hour later)
Polls have closed in Hungary in a referendum on whether to accept mandatory EU quotas for relocating migrants. Hungarians who voted in a referendum on Sunday have overwhelmingly rejected mandatory EU migrant quotas, the national election office has said.
Early indications show most who voted overwhelmingly rejected the quota system but turnout could be less than 50% which would make the vote invalid. But exit polls suggest that turnout failed to reach the 50% needed for the result to be valid.
Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposes plans to relocate a total of 160,000 migrants across the bloc. With nearly all the votes counted, 98% rejected the quotas, officials said.
Under the scheme Hungary would receive 1,294 asylum seekers. Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged Hungarians to reject the EU scheme, describing it as a threat to Europe's security and way of life.
He described the result as "overwhelming" and said the EU "cannot force" Hungary to accept migrants. He urged EU decision makers to take note of the referendum.
The EU plan to relocate 160,000 migrants across the bloc would mean Hungary receiving 1,294 asylum seekers.
During last year's migrant crisis, Hungary became a transit state on the Western Balkan route to Germany and other EU destinations.During last year's migrant crisis, Hungary became a transit state on the Western Balkan route to Germany and other EU destinations.
In an effort to curb the influx, it sealed its border with Serbia and Croatia. The measure was popular at home but criticised by human rights groups.In an effort to curb the influx, it sealed its border with Serbia and Croatia. The measure was popular at home but criticised by human rights groups.
As voting ended, a poll conducted by think-tank Nezopont indicated that about 3.2 million voters had rejected the quotas while 168,000 voters voted for them.
Gergely Gulyas, an MP of the governing Fidesz party, predicted that about 95% had voted "No" and the turnout would be about 45%.
The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest says that if the poll is declared invalid it would be a disappointing result for the Fidesz government following months of mobilisation and an expensive campaign.The BBC's Nick Thorpe in Budapest says that if the poll is declared invalid it would be a disappointing result for the Fidesz government following months of mobilisation and an expensive campaign.
Voters were asked: "Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even without the approval of the National Assembly?"Voters were asked: "Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens into Hungary even without the approval of the National Assembly?"
Shortly after voting, Mr Orban said: "Hungarians are aware of what is at the stake. And it's important because it's not about the will of the government, it's not the intention of the parliament. It's the voice and will of the people - that's most important."Shortly after voting, Mr Orban said: "Hungarians are aware of what is at the stake. And it's important because it's not about the will of the government, it's not the intention of the parliament. It's the voice and will of the people - that's most important."
The EU proposal was meant to ease pressure on Greece and Italy, the main entry points for migrants and refugees into the bloc.The EU proposal was meant to ease pressure on Greece and Italy, the main entry points for migrants and refugees into the bloc.
In December Hungary filed a court challenge against the EU plan, which would see relocations over two years.In December Hungary filed a court challenge against the EU plan, which would see relocations over two years.