16 June 2005

All Blacks Take Time Out To Enrol To Vote

Two of the country's All Blacks preparing for the DHL NZ Lions Series enrolled today for the 2005 General Election.

All Blacks Hooker Keven Mealamu and Number 8 Rodney So'oialo took time out from the All Blacks training camp to fill in the enrolment forms required to get on the electoral roll.

"Everyone over 18 has a responsibility to enrol to vote, and we urge anyone who isn't enrolled or is unsure whether they are to do it now," says All Black Keven Mealamu.

"It's really empowering to know that you're enrolled and can vote. We want to send a clear message to anyone who isn't enrolled to vote to get enrolled. It doesn't take long," says All Black Rodney So'oialo.

National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre Murray Wicks says over a quarter of a million Kiwis still had to get enrolled.

"Our research tells us that young people, Maori and Pacific people are over represented in the numbers who aren't enrolled. These All Blacks are sending a strong signal that it's easy and important to enrol," says Mr Wicks.

"To enrol to vote people can get an enrolment form from 0800 36 76 56, Freetext their name and address to 3676, visit a PostShop or go online to www.elections.org.nz. People can check their enrolment details online as well," he says.

Eligible voters have until tomorrow (Friday 17 June) to enrol to vote to make it on the preliminary printed electoral rolls prepared in the lead up to the 2005 General Election.

ENDS

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