Parliament approves new election law

BUDAPEST (AP):

Hungary's parliament has approved a new election law forcing citizens wishing to vote to register every four years, and limiting campaign advertisements, including a ban on ads on commercial TV stations.

The new rules were approved late Monday by a vote of 251-91, with one abstention. The governing coalition of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and the Christian Democrats voted in favour along with one independent deputy, while the three opposition parties opposed the law.

The government says registration is necessary, because many votes are expected to be cast by ethnic Hungarians living in other countries who can now more easily acquire Hungarian citizenship, while limiting ads is expected to reduce parties' campaign costs.