Changes to Local Government Electoral Act

Media release 15 March 2004

Changes to Local Government Electoral Act

Changes to the Local Government Electoral Act since the last election may have far reaching effects for Manukau, the City's Electoral Officer John Skelton announced today.

The two changes to the Local Electoral Amendment Act 2002 that may have most significance to aspiring and incumbent electoral candidates are:

" all candidates must now be New Zealand citizens. Previously they had to be either a NZ citizen or have been on the Electoral Roll in 1982, and

" all election advertising must contain the name and address of the person authorising it.

"Full information packs will be available to candidates by late April. The pack outlines the information they will need to become a candidate, for Council, Community Board, Licencing Trust or Health Board" said Mr Skelton.

"The information pack cannot be released until after the determination of the Local Government Commission on Council's Review of Representation Arrangements is announced in mid April. The determination will identify the ward boundaries within the city and the number of elected members representing those wards and their respective community boards", said Mr Skelton.

In the week prior to nominations opening the Council electoral team will be holding information evenings to inform aspiring candidates of the rules and obligations surrounding the election process. The information sessions will be advertised closer to the nomination period.

TRIENNIAL ELECTION TIMETABLE

9 OCTOBER 2004

2 March 2004 – 30 April 2004 Ratepayer Roll Enrolment Confirmation Forms sent [Reg 16, LER]

2 March 2004 – 6 July 2004 Preparation of Ratepayer Roll [Reg 10 LER]

11 April 2004 Final Representation Review decisions from LGC

1 May 2004 – 31 May 2004 SOLGM national Ratepayer Roll Qualifications and Procedures campaign [Sec 39 LEA]

5 July 2004 EEC Enrolment Update Campaign commences

21 July 2004 Public Notice of Election, Calling for Nominations, Roll Open for Inspection [Sec 42, 52, 53 LEA]

23 July 2004 Nominations Open/Roll Open for Inspection
[Sec 42 LEA]

20 August 2004 Nominations Close (12 Noon)/ Roll Closes [Sec 5, 42, 55, LEA]

25 August 2004 Public Notice of Candidate Names [Sec 65, LEA]

By 31 August 2004 Ratepayer Roll insert with Rates Notice [sec 39 LEA]

By 14 September 2004 Electoral Officer Certifies Final Electoral Roll [Sec 51, LEA, Reg 22, LER]

17 September 2004 EEC letter sent to Unpublished Roll electors

17 September 2004 – 22 September 2004 Delivery of Voting Documents [Sec 5, LEA]

17 September 2004 – 9 October 2004 Progressive Roll Scrutiny [Sec 83, LEA]
Special Voting Period
Early Processing

By 8 October 2004 Appointment of Scrutineers [Sec 68, LEA]

9 October 2004 Election Day [Sec 10, LEA]
Voting Closes 12 Noon – counting commences [Sec 84, LEA]
Preliminary Results (FPP) available as soon as practicable after close of voting [Sec 85, LEA]

9 October 2004 – 13 October 2004 Official Count [Sec 84, LEA]

13 October 2004 – 16 October 2004 Declaration of Result/Public Notice of Results [Sec 86, LEA]

By 7 December 2004 Return of Election Expenses & Donations Form [Sec
109, LEA]

LEA = Local Electoral Act 2001 LER = Local Electoral Regulations 2001 EEC= Electoral Enrolment Centre LGC= Local Government Commission.

ENDS

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