9 June 2004

Maori Party registration applications received

The Electoral Commission confirms that it received this afternoon, Wednesday, 9 June 2004, an application to register “Maori Party” as a political party along with an application to register a logo for that party.

“Commission staff will now check to see that the party registration application is complete before publicly notifying it ahead of formal consideration of registration by the Commission, probably at its meeting scheduled for 9 July 2004,” says Commission chief executive Dr Helena Catt.

Requirements for party registration included providing evidence of having 500 current financial members and stating an intent to stand a party list or to stand for at least one electorate seat in a general election, Dr Catt said.

“Candidates for electorate seats in general elections and by- elections may stand for parties that are not registered. Registration is only required to contest the party vote at a general election,” she added.

“The Electoral Act prevents the processing of a logo application while a by-election is underway. This means that the Maori Party logo application will not be processed until after 24 July 2004, the last date for the return of the writ for the Te Hauauru by-election. After checking the application for completeness, Commission staff will publicly notify it ahead of formal consideration for registration by the Commission, probably at its meeting scheduled for 13 August 2004.”

ENDS

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