Daijiworld Media Network - Wellington
Wellington, Nov 7: Polling stations opened across New Zealand on Saturday for the final day of voting in the country's general election, with preliminary results expected to be announced on Saturday evening. The election is being conducted under strict laws that prohibit political campaigning and public commentary capable of influencing voters on polling day.
Voting began on October 26, and more than 1.6 million of the nearly 3.8 million enrolled voters had already cast their ballots by the end of Thursday, according to the Electoral Commission. Polling stations opened at 9 am on Saturday and are scheduled to close at 7 pm.
New Zealand's election day is unusual for the near-total absence of political campaigning and commentary. A 19-hour blackout, which remains in force until polling stations close, prohibits political parties, media organisations and social media users from making statements about election issues, likely outcomes or anything that could encourage or discourage voters from supporting a particular candidate or party.
Opinion polls cannot be published on polling day, while exit polls and interviews with voters outside polling stations are also prohibited. Political billboards and campaign advertisements must be removed by midnight before election day, with party workers often seen dismantling roadside displays at the last minute.
The restrictions extend to bumper stickers, political T-shirts and even social media profile pictures. Violations can attract fines of up to 20,000 New Zealand dollars, equivalent to approximately USD 11,000.
Although news organisations are permitted to mention political parties and candidates, they must ensure that their coverage does not influence voting decisions. However, political content published before election day does not have to be removed.
Political leaders generally spend election day carrying out ordinary activities with their families, such as shopping or running errands, while avoiding comments on current political developments. Their public appearances are carefully managed to ensure visibility without violating the blackout rules.
The strict restrictions have occasionally produced unusual election-day scenes. During the 2017 election, one major party leader allowed reporters waiting outside her residence to photograph her wearing sweatpants while painting a fence.
Some analysts argue that the blackout rules are unnecessary because voters can cast their ballots nearly two weeks before election day, during which campaigning, political advertising and extensive media coverage continue. More than half of the voters in the 2023 election had voted early.
However, there has been little public or political support for changing the restrictions. Supporters maintain that the blackout gives voters an opportunity to make their decisions privately and without last-minute political pressure. A light-hearted election-day tradition has also developed, with New Zealanders sharing photographs of dogs accompanying people to polling stations instead of posting political messages.
Even the use of colours is approached cautiously. Signs outside polling stations, jackets worn by election officials and the orange mascot featured in election advertising are predominantly bright orange, a colour not associated with any major political party.
New Zealand has a unicameral Parliament, meaning it has only one legislative chamber, and does not have state governments. The central government therefore plays a significant role in determining the country's political and economic direction. General elections are held every three years.
Voters do not directly elect the prime minister. Instead, they choose their preferred political party and a local candidate to represent their electorate. A party or coalition must secure more than half the seats in Parliament to form a government.
Unlike neighbouring Australia, voting is not compulsory in New Zealand, although eligible citizens and residents are required to enrol. Earlier, voters could enrol even on election day before casting their ballots. However, legislation introduced in December 2025 established a registration deadline 13 days before polling.
Under the new rule, people who had not enrolled by October 25 this year could be refused permission to vote.
The Electoral Commission aims to release results covering around 95 per cent of votes cast by the end of election night on Saturday. The final result, which will include special votes and ballots cast by New Zealanders living overseas, is expected by November 27.