Hungarian referendum, 1989

A four-part referendum was held in Hungary on 26 November 1989.^[1] Voters were asked whether the President should be elected after parliamentary elections, whether organisations related to the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party should be banned from workplaces, whether the party should account for properties owned or managed by it, and whether the Workers' Militia should be dissolved.^[2] All four proposals were passed, the first narrowly by 50.1% of voters, and the remaining three by 95% of voters. Voter turnout was 58.0%.^[2]

Results

Question I

Should the president be elected after parliamentary elections?

Choice	Votes	%
For	2,145,023	50.1
Against	2,138,619	49.9
Invalid/blank votes	242,630	–
Total	4,526,602	100
Registered voters/turnout	7,799,059	58.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question II

Should organisations related to the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party be banned from workplaces?

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,088,383	95.1
Against	208,474	4.9
Invalid/blank votes	229,412	–
Total	4,526,602	100
Registered voters/turnout	7,799,059	58.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question III

Should the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party account for its properties owned or managed by it?

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,101,413	95.4
Against	198,987	4.6
Invalid/blank votes	225,872	–
Total	4,526,602	100
Registered voters/turnout	7,799,059	58.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Question IV

Should the Workers' Militia be dissolved?

Choice	Votes	%
For	4,054,977	94.9
Against	216,551	5.1
Invalid/blank votes	254,744	–
Total	4,526,602	100
Registered voters/turnout	7,799,059	58.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p899 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p912