New Zealand votes in knife-edge election as cost-of-living dominates
More than 1.6 million of nearly 3.8 million enrolled voters had already cast ballots before Saturday's final day of voting, with the governing National Party and Labour neck and neck.
Illustration: AI-generated image
New Zealanders are voting on Saturday in a general election that opinion polls suggest is too close to call, with the rising cost of living and the state of the economy dominating the campaign. Polling stations opened at 9am local time and close at 7pm (10am UAE time).
More than 1.6 million voters had already cast their ballots by the end of Thursday, according to New Zealand’s Electoral Commission, out of nearly 3.8 million people enrolled to vote. Voting began on October 26.
New Zealand has strict election-day rules that prohibit any political discussion while polls are open. The blackout applies to political parties, news outlets and social media users, and bars comment on likely outcomes or campaign issues. Billboards, advertising, bumper stickers, T-shirts and even social media profile pictures are covered. Breaches can lead to fines of up to NZ$20,000 (about $11,000).
Recent polls show the governing centre-right National Party and the opposition centre-left Labour Party running neck and neck, with neither expected to win enough seats to govern alone. A handful of electorate seats could decide the next government. Both parties have focused on the economy, but with different approaches. National has pledged to return the budget to surplus and expand the national pension scheme, while Labour has promised cheaper healthcare and transport to ease cost-of-living pressures.
The Electoral Commission aims to publish preliminary results from 95 percent of polling stations by the end of election night on Saturday. A final result, including ballots cast by New Zealanders abroad, is expected by November 27.
New Zealand uses a mixed-member proportional system, with voters choosing a local electorate candidate and a political party. The parliament typically has 120 seats, filled by electorate winners and party list members.
