- New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the country’s election will be pushed back by a month due to the new COVID-19 outbreak
- The election was scheduled for September 19, but will now be held on October 17
- However, opposition parties have complained the delay is not long enough and the election should be postponed until as late as next year
- But the PM had held firm on the date, insisting all candidates will be on a level playing field
- The New Zealand Electoral Commission has been readying itself for an election under level two restrictions, with a focus on advance voting
- There have been nine new coronavirus cases confirmed in New Zealand today, bringing the total active cases from the new cluster to 58
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced the country’s election will be pushed back by a month due to the new COVID-19 outbreak.
The election was scheduled for September 19, but will now be held on October 17.
The PM says the new date is final and won’t be delayed any further. New Zealand law requires the election to be held before November 21.
However, opposition parties have complained the delay is not long enough and the election should be postponed until as late as next year. In fact, the National party insists the incumbents will have an unfair advantage.
National Party leader Judith Collins has demanded the election be delayed until at least November, if not next year, arguing lockdown restrictions prevent campaigning in the run-up to election day and claiming Jacinda is using the crisis to shore up support.
But the PM had held firm on the date, insisting all candidates will be on a level playing field.
“I have absolutely no intention at all to change at this point,” the PM said, in reference to the new date being fixed.
“I want to ensure we have a well-run election that gives all voters the best chance to receive all the information they need about parties and candidates and delivers certainty for the future,” she said.
“We are all in the same boat. We are all campaigning in the same environment.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
Co-leader of the Greens, James Shaw, says the opposition is just playing politics in a time of grave national concern.
“We have been incredibly disappointed to see the National and other small parties continue to use the weekend to bang on about what would suit them best politically when it comes to the Election Day date,” James said.
“Frankly, many New Zealanders would have heard loud and clear that these parties prioritise their potential electoral successes over the health of our communities, and the strength of our democratic institutions,” he added.
Now Auckland is at level three, the campaign season and voting procedures will potentially have to be further adjusted.
The New Zealand Electoral Commission had been readying itself for an election under level two restrictions, with a focus on encouraging advance voting to avoid large numbers of people turning out on election day.
Unusually for a New Zealand election, the new October date falls in the school holidays. Accordingly, more polling booths will be opened on empty campuses to further diminish the potential for crowding.
There have been nine new coronavirus cases confirmed in New Zealand today, bringing the total active cases from the new cluster to 58.