Not having an EasyVote card "does not, in any way, stop people being able to vote", an electoral expert says, as an estimated 1.4 million Kiwis wait to receive their voting packs nine days out from the election.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins criticised the Electoral Commission yesterday, telling reporters, "Having a million New Zealanders still not having the EasyVote packs isn't acceptable".
"I think the Electoral Commission have one job, which is to run a successful election for all New Zealanders."
Despite Hipkins' criticism, University of Otago electoral law professor Andrew Geddis told Breakfast this morning that "running an election has a huge number of things involved".
"Also, these cards have to go through the postal system and as the postal system gets degraded somewhat because people are just sending less letters, things take longer to get there," he explained.
Geddis said while showing up at a polling booth without an EasyVote card "may add a few seconds, a minute to the actual process", not having an EasyVote card "is not actually a huge problem with regards to people’s right to vote".
"All the EasyVote card is is an administratively easier way for the electoral officials to find your name on the electoral roll. It has your name on it, it has where on the electoral roll your name’s listed so they can just take that, find your name, cross it off, give you a ballot.
"You can still go into a voting place – just give them your name and you will get a ballot paper in the same way.
"It’s an administrative matter – it’s not a right to vote matter."
He added that people who didn't register in time for their name to be printed in the electoral rolls can cast a special vote.
"You just fill out a sheet with your name and address and you will be given a ballot paper and be able to vote.
"The failure to get an EasyVote card does not, in any way, stop people being able to vote."
Geddis said reviews into the delayed cards are expected be carried out after the election.
SHARE ME