18 April 2005

Electoral Commission Hopelessly Biased

Rt Hon Winston Peters says the 2005 allocation of election broadcasting funds has demonstrated that the Electoral Commission is unable to carry out its responsibilities objectively or in a manner reflective of the realities of MMP.

“The allocation of election broadcasting funds for the upcoming election are manifestly unfair and designed to prevent New Zealand First from obtaining fair advertising and broadcasting rights,” said Mr Peters.

“The Electoral Commission has been hijacked by the traditional two-party system and has failed to deal with facts such as New Zealand First’s ascendancy in Parliament and in the polls. It is tinkering with democracy.

“New Zealand First gets less than one quarter of National’s funding despite obtaining half as much support as National did at the last election.

“While New Zealand First never agreed with the State funding of elections it is confident that the public will see this funding gerrymander for what it is and assures the electorate that the Commission will be fired”, concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media