Electoral Commission investigates system glitch affecting residence visa holders

Up to 6,800 people holding residence class visas were incorrectly asked to provide immigration status documentation to enrol to vote. The Electoral Commission is investigating this processing failure and treating the matter with urgency. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne stated that the Commission will contact those affected to advise them that their enrolment application is sufficient to cast a valid special vote.

Anyone eligible to enrol who applied before the 25 October deadline can still cast a special vote. The Commission is working to resolve the root cause of the error. Labour's justice spokesperson Camilla Belich argued the error demonstrates why the Government should not have removed same-day enrolment. The National Party declined to comment, stating the matter belongs to the Electoral Commission.

A 17-year-old student from Rototuna Senior High School in Hamilton was also incorrectly enrolled and sent an EasyVote card. The Commission admitted it misread a date of birth on a paper enrolment form and apologised for the error. While 17-year-olds can fill out forms to be automatically enrolled when they turn 18, they should not receive EasyVote cards.

The Commission stated that no ID verification was required for the paper enrolment that led to the student's error. Officials said they believe the underage enrolment is an isolated incident. Any ballot cast by a person under 18 would be disallowed.

How it developed

• Fri 30 Oct, 4:06pmA separate error was reported involving a 17-year-old student being incorrectly enrolled and issued an EasyVote card.

Where reports differ

• One report attributes the visa issue to a system glitch, while another describes it as the Commission wrongly asking for information

Compiled from reports by The Post, Stuff, RNZ and Waikato Times.