Source: NZCTU
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff has said the union movement is appalled by the Government’s proposed electoral law changes, which include the removal of same-day enrolments.
“As the largest democratic organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, the NZCTU is unequivocally opposed to electoral law changes that are designed to prevent people from participating in the democratic process,” said Wagstaff.
“The Prime Minister is ignoring his own Attorney-General who advised the changes are in breach of the Bill of Rights Act and may disenfranchise up to 100,000 people. She noted that young people, Māori, Asian and Pasifika communities, are likely to be worst affected.
“Luxon and his government are engaging in outright voter suppression as they probably think it will benefit their electoral prospects to prevent large sections of the public from voting in the first place, especially as the groups most affected are disproportionately negatively impacted by the Government’s policies.
“The system should be designed to make it as easy as possible for people to vote. Setting up barriers to political participation is a fundamental breach of human rights and has no place in our democracy,” said Wagstaff.
