Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Mocking a Legitimate Concern on Flag Voting Information
Mahesh Bindra MP
Spokesperson for Ethnic
Affairs
10 MARCH 2015
Mocking a Legitimate Concern on Flag Voting Information
The government’s cavalier disregard for New Zealand First’s concerns regarding a deliberate manipulation of voting information is appalling, says New Zealand First.
“For Deputy Prime Minister Bill English to declare in Parliament that it ‘doesn’t matter much’ that the voting information had been changed for Hindi speakers makes a mockery of the flag referendum,” says Ethnic Affairs Spokesperson Mahesh Bindra.
“Mr English said the Electoral Commission had investigated and decided the Hindi text reads as it should. However, Hindi speaking experts say otherwise.
“It appears that it was intentional to mislead the 80,000 or more people whose first language is Hindi, so that they vote for the ‘new’ flag - the Prime Minister’s choice of flag.
“The flag referendum has been a farce from the beginning,” says Mr Bindra.
“Mr English took no responsibility, ducking any accountability, referring New Zealand First to take the matter up with the Electoral Commission – we will do that. At the end of the day the referendum was the Prime Minister’s idea.”
ENDS
Gordon Campbell: On The Hikoi Aftermath
NZ Government: PM Marks One Year In Government
Helen Clark Foundation: Helen Clark Foundation Calls For Political Action To Reduce The Prevalence Of Junk Food And Improve Health Outcomes
Justice Committee: Further Decisions About Submissions Process For The Principles Of The Treaty Of Waitangi Bill
Infrastructure New Zealand: Single Agency Needed To Coordinate Climate Adaptation And Recovery
Free Speech Union: Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill Likely To Restrict Access To Information, Polling Shows Most Oppose
Auckland Transport: Driver Safety Screens Now Rolling Out Across Auckland’s Bus Fleet
