Hungary is set to vote in a referendum on whether to accept mandatory EU quotas for relocating migrants.

Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban opposes plans to relocate a total of 160,000 migrants across the bloc, reports the BBC.

Under the scheme, announced after last year’s migrant crisis, Hungary would receive 1,294 asylum seekers.

Opinion polls suggest strong support for a rejection among those who say they will vote. To be valid, turnout needs to be over 50 percent of voters.

During the 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.

BDST: 1038 HRS, OCT 02, 2016
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