The New Zealand government announced plans to overhaul electoral laws, including closing voter enrolment 13 days before elections, reinstating a ban on prisoner voting, and prohibiting free provisions near voting stations. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized the need for early voter registration to avoid delays in vote counting. Attorney General Judith Collins warned that these changes could violate human rights laws and disenfranchise many voters, noting significant numbers of special votes and last-minute registrants in past elections. Alternative proposals suggest limited registration deadlines to mitigate disenfranchisement.
The government plans to overhaul electoral laws, including closing voter enrolment 13 days before election day and reinstating a ban on prisoner voting.
Attorney General Judith Collins warned the proposed changes could breach human rights law and disenfranchise over 100,000 voters.
Collins noted more than 200,000 special votes were cast in the 2023 general election, with many being first-time registrants during the voting period.
Changing the enrolment deadline to one to seven days before polling day would impose less onerous limits on the right to vote.
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