Alliance welcomes Court of Appeal ruling on election closing address

The Alliance Party has welcomed today's Court of Appeal ruling that found in favour of the Alliance's complaint on lack of broadcasting time in the 2008 general election.

Alliance Party co-leader Andrew McKenzie says the Electoral Commission did not allocate a television or radio closing address to the Alliance (and other non-parliamentary but registered parties) in the 2008 election.

The Alliance contested this decision but their case was dismissed in the High Court in Wellington.

The Court of Appeal has now upheld their appeal, holding that "Part 6 of the Broadcasting Act 1989 requires the Electoral Commission to allocate time for an opening address and time for a closing address to every political party that qualifies for allocation of time under the Broadcasting Act."

Mr McKenzie says it is useful that the law has been clarified and the issue was an important one for democratic expression, as a registered political party should receive fair opportunity to convey its policies to the public.

The Alliance accepted the Court of Appeal's ruling that the outcome cast no doubt on the lawfulness of the 2008 general election, but had implications for future elections.

ENDS

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