Banks – Time To Restore Integrity To Voting System

Auckland Mayor John Banks is calling for a review of the local government postal voting system to restore integrity and minimize the capacity for the postal vote to be abused.

“There are a number of problems with the system that have been highlighted in this campaign.

“The first is that if you are overseas when the ballot papers get posted (Friday 17th September this week), and you don’t get back until after 9th October, then you are disenfranchised.

“There is no provision for special voting outside the period or for voting while overseas.”

Mayor Banks says there is also the potential for abuse of the system as has been reported in the media recently.

“This is clearly happening in Manukau where people are enrolling dozens of supporters to one address in order to increase the vote for their favoured candidates

“These incidents cast great doubt on the integrity on the postal vote system and if elected Mayor, I intend to ask the Government to review the way in which local government votes are cast.

Mayor Banks has shared his concern with other civic leaders including Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey. Harvey has long been a critic of the postal voting system and has told Mayor Banks he is happy to support a review by Parliament.

Mayor Banks says, “I am aware of reports in past elections of people taking postal voting papers out of letterboxes, filling them in to favour their own preferred candidate, then posting them.

“This is illegal and is punishable by imprisonment, but it has occurred and the Returning Officer in this election needs to be vigilant.”

Mayor Banks is urging anyone who does not receive their ballot paper within a few days of the papers being posted next Friday, to contact the Returning Officer, Dale Ofsoske on 307 7211.

“I also want to remind those who are travelling in the school holidays that the only way you can cast your vote for this election is by filling out the postal ballot and posting it back.

“If your paper is not filled out and sent back within the period of 18 September – 9 October, your vote will not be counted.

“It is very important for everyone that the first election for the Mayor of Greater Auckland takes place fairly, democratically and without abuse.”

Mayor Banks intends to raise the issue with Prime Minister John Key and the Minister of Local Government following the local government election.

“I know that when postal voting was introduced in the 1986 local body election the intention was to increase participation, but with significant technological advances in the years since we should consider a full review.

“In the meantime, I call on all citizens of greater Auckland to be vigilant and ensure their vote counts in this election.”

ENDS

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