Lynore Craig

The Coalition Government’s intention to remove the right to enrol up to and including election day is a deliberate act to undermine our democracy and a breach of our human rights by denying thousands of eligible voters their democratic right.

The Attorney-General, Judith Collins, is reported as saying these new restrictions are a breach of our Bill of Human Rights.

She indicated more than 100,000 voters could be directly or indirectly disenfranchised with areas of larger Maori, Asian, and Pasifika communities likely to be the worst affected.

The right to enrol on election day was introduced by the Labour Government in 2020, initiated by a remit from the local Labour Party branch in Whakatāne.

I thought any government would encourage its eligible citizens to vote but not this government.

In 2023, National lost two seats after the special votes were counted. Perhaps the polls are driving this decision as Labour and other supporting parties are threatening to make this National/Act/NZ First a one-term government.

For the deputy prime minister to call people who don’t enrol before early voting “drop kicks” is a gross insult to me as a citizen of New Zealand and a reflection of this Government’s values and who it governs for.

Not everyone has the privileged life David Seymour and his colleagues enjoy.

For many New Zealanders survival and managing week to week is an achievement.

Many people do not have the security of a permanent home, so updating personal details to vote is not a priority until election time.

By putting more barriers in place more people will be disenfranchised, and, by coincidence, will more likely vote for left-leaning parties.

The Government is also removing the right to vote for people in prison with sentences of less then three years – another barrier is placed in their path.

As citizens who will be re-entering society in the term of the next elected government they have been denied the opportunity to vote and exercise their democratic right, a violation of their human rights.

What a negative message for reintegration into the community.

For the Government to use the excuse that extended enrolment time lengthens the time of achieving a final election result is a poor reason to deny New Zealanders their democratic right.

How many weeks to negotiate a coalition government?

A responsible government would ensure that voting was as accessible and easy as possible ensuring we all can participate in our democracy.