Wednesday 17 August 2005

Chief Electoral Office Ministry of Justice

Governor-General Directs General Election for 17 September

The Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright today signed the writ directing the Chief Electoral Officer to conduct a general election on 17 September.

"The direction from the Governor-General today is the formal authority to run the 2005 General Election," says David Henry, Chief Electoral Officer.

"What happens now is that public notices announcing the election date and calling for candidate nominations appear in newspapers on 18 August," says Mr Henry.

The nomination deadlines are: * noon on Monday 22 August - for bulk nominations by registered political parties direct to the Chief Electoral Officer * noon on Tuesday 23 August - for individual nominations to the Returning Officer for the electorate.

The Chief Electoral Officer expects to issue a complete list of all parties and their candidates by 4.00pm Wednesday 24 August. Details will be available from www.elections.org.nz.

Since the election date was announced, the Chief Electoral Office has had several thousands calls from people who will be overseas on Election Day wanting to know about advance voting and voting from overseas.

"Advance voting starts in New Zealand and overseas on Wednesday 31 August for voters who can't get to a polling place in their electorate on Election Day," says Mr Henry. "Details are available from www.elections.org.nz or 0800 36 76 56".

For more information contact: Chief Electoral Office Communications Advisor, Anna Hughes Phone 04 495 0030 or mobile 027 28 28 827 www.elections.org.nz

ENDS

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