For immediate release 2 December 1999

MORE NZERS ENROLLED FOR GENERAL ELECTION THAN EVER BEFORE

New Zealand Post’s Electoral Enrolment Centre (EEC) has announced that 90,778 more eligible electors enrolled for this year’s general election than for the 1996 election.

EEC is responsible for compiling and maintaining the electoral rolls. National Manager Murray Wicks said a total of 2,509,365 people enrolled for this year’s election.

“This compares with the 2,418,587 who enrolled for the 1996 election,” Mr Wicks said.

“The overall level of enrolment for both elections was similar with 91.1 per cent of the eligible voting population enrolled this year while 91.5 per cent of eligible electors enrolled in 1996.”

Mr Wicks said the level of enrolment compares favorably internationally.

“In terms of enrolment comparison using the most recent statistics available: in 1996, 86 per cent of eligible Australian voters and 74.3 per cent of eligible American voters were enrolled. In Canada, 82.9 per cent of eligible voters enrolled in 1997 when that country’s most recent general election was held.”

Mr Wicks said EEC was pleased with the level of enrolment achieved for this year’s election and reminded people to keep their enrolment record up-to-date for any future election events.

Change of address and enrolment forms are available from Post Shops, by phoning 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or from the elections website: www.elections.org.nz.

Mr Wicks said that during this year’s enrolment campaign, EEC handled 132,000 calls to its 0800 number while the elections website received around 700,000 hits.

ENDS

For more information contact:
EEC National Manager, Murray Wicks
Ph: 04-801-0701 or Mobile: 025-249-4508

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