Electoral Commission
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Last Chance to Take Part in Electoral Commission’s MMP Review

You only have until Friday to have your say in the MMP Review. That’s the message from the Electoral Commission, just days away from the end of public consultation on its MMP Review Proposals Paper.

Almost 700 submissions have so far been received on the Proposals Paper, which details the Commission’s suggestions on possible improvements to New Zealand’s MMP voting system.

“Submissions close this Friday, 7 September,” says Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden. “We want to make sure that everyone gets the opportunity to give feedback on this important issue.”

“All the information you need is on our website at www.mmpreview.org.nz, or call freephone 0800 36 76 56 to have a Proposals Paper sent to you.”
The Proposals Paper sets out the conclusions the Commission reached following the first round of public consultation earlier this year.

The proposals being suggested by the Electoral Commission are:

• The one electorate seat threshold for the allocation of list seats should be abolished.
• The party vote threshold for the allocation of list seats should be lowered to 4%.
• Candidates should continue to be able to stand both in an electorate and on a party list at general elections.
• List MPs should continue to be able to contest by-elections.
• Political parties should continue to have responsibility for the composition and ranking of candidates on their party lists.
• The provision for overhang seats should be abolished for parties that do not cross the party vote threshold.
• On the basis of current information it would be prudent to identify 76 electorate seats (in a 120 seat Parliament) as the point at which the risk to proportionality from insufficient list seats becomes unacceptable. New Zealand is unlikely to reach that point before 2026.
• The gradual erosion of lists seats relative to electorate seats risks undermining the diversity of representation in Parliament. Parliament should review this matter.
Submissions on the proposals can be made via post, email, or online at www.mmpreview.org.nz, and must be received by 7 September. Submissions can also be made on the Proposals Paper itself. Public hearings will not be held. More information, including copies of the Proposals Paper, is available at www.mmpreview.org.nz or by calling 0800 36 76 56.

A final report will be presented to the Minister of Justice by 31 October.

ENDS

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