New Zealand general election delayed

The New Zealand general election has been delayed from 19 September to 17 October 2020 due to the Covid-related lockdowns caused by a recent outbreak.

In the NZ system, the choice of election date, within a 3-year limit, is the prime minister’s. On this occasion, the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, consulted with the leaders of other political parties to take account of their concerns about the safety and fairness of an election under lockdown, and the way in which this hampers their efforts to campaign in public spaces.

The Electoral Commission manages the election itself, and has plans in place for safe conduct of the election under lockdown.

The polling-day delay was reasonable in terms of public health concerns and campaign-period disruptions – even though no one can be sure whether 17 October will be more or less ‘Covid-safe’ than 19 September.

The delay is also politically astute, as it dampens opposition parties’ accusations that the election may be unfair due to lockdown constraints on traditional face to face forms of campaigning.

Judith Collins, leader of the opposition National Party, wanted the latest possible date, 21 November. This would have given National more time to attack Labour over border-control of Covid-19 and over economic fallout. Collins earlier said she would have supported a delay beyond the 3-year limit, into 2021, but this would have required a 75% majority vote in parliament to override the limit on the parliamentary term. Essentially she was suggesting that the government that she was attacking should be given, with National’s support, extra time in office, without an election!

The 17 October date looks like a reasonable compromise. The Electoral Commission does have plans in place to hold the election, with safeguards and, if needed in cases of serious disruption, powers to adjourn polling.

So, parliament reconvenes. The business select committee met this afternoon (17 August) to agree on parliament’s timetable.

Dissolution                  6 September

Writ day                      13 September

Nomination day          18 September

Early voting begins     3 October

Polling day                  17 October

Whenever Parliament is dissolved or expires, the Governor-General must, not later than 7 days after the dissolution or expiration, issue a writ to the Electoral Commission requiring the Electoral Commission to make all necessary arrangements for the conduct of a general election. The writ for a general election shall appoint: the latest day for the nomination of constituency candidates; and a day for the polling to take place, being a Saturday; and the latest day for  the return of the writ. Polling day must not be earlier than the 20th day after nomination day. The latest day for the return of the writ shall be the 60th day after its issue.