Right to Demand a Poll on Local Electoral System

The choice is between the First Past the Post (FPP) and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.  Council gave consideration to the electoral system at its meeting on 6 August 2008, but made no decision to change the FPP system proposed for the 2010 elections.  Unless a poll determines otherwise, the FPP electoral system will continue to be used for the election of the Otago Regional Council.

A valid demand for a poll must be:
- Made by notice in writing.
- Signed by at least 5 percent of the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the previous triennial election of the Otago Regional Council.  This will require 7,076 signatures.
- Delivered to the office of the Otago Regional Council, 70 Stafford Street, Private Bag 1954, Dunedin, no later than 28 February 2009.

The name of the elector must appear on any of the electoral rolls of the territorial authorities within the Otago Region, or be included in the most recently published electoral roll for any electoral district under the Electoral Act 1993, or be currently the subject of a direction by the Chief Registrar in relation to unpublished names.  The address for which the elector is registered as a parliamentary elector must be within the local government area of the Otago Region.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it his or her full name and the address for which he or she is qualified as an elector of the Otago Regional Council.

If a valid demand for a poll is received after 28 February 2009, the poll must be held after 21 May 2009, and has effect for the purposes of the 2013 and 2016 triennial general elections.

Dated at Dunedin this 16th day of August 2008. 

R W Scott
Director Corporate Services