Hon Dr Nick Smith MP National Party Local Government Spokesperson

08 October 2004

Nick Smith predicts record low poll

"Tomorrow's local body elections are on track to post a record low turnout which can be largely blamed on Labour's confusing mix of voting systems," says National Party Local Government spokesman Nick Smith.

"The latest return figures are about 5% down on the same time during the 2001 local body elections. This year's nation wide turnout will be lucky to reach 50%," says Dr Smith.

The turnout figures show a range from as low as 26.67% in Waitakere City to as high as 57.49% in Waimate district. The average turnout New Zealand-wide as at October 6th was 39%.

"The low turnout should come as no surprise. The Government's policy of allowing a mix of FPP, STV, and MMP-style council elections was inevitably going to cause voter confusion. "This mess needs fixing. The Government must review its botched law and provide for a single system of voting in future local government elections," Dr Smith says.

ENDS

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