LAST CHANCE to Shake-up DCC

As the closing time of the STV versus FPP referendum comes up at 12 noon this Friday (4 April), STV Dunedin would like to remind anyone with voting papers that haven't been returned yet to do so immediately. People who have not yet received voting papers for the referendum should cast a special vote at the DCC main office as soon as possible. All votes must be returned to the DCC by 12 noon to be counted.

"Dunedin citizens' last chance to shake-up the DCC ends at 12 noon this Friday." said STV Dunedin campaigner Mark Baxter.

"A minority of councillors has been supportive despite the adoption of STV meaning they might lose their seats. Sukhi, a staunch supporter of STV, may not have been elected using STV. She would either be enjoying a proper 50% support of the vote, or a different mayor would have been elected - all depending on voters' second choices for mayor. FPP simply doesn't tell us who Dunedin's real choice for mayor is." said Mr Baxter.

"However, to the majority of DCC councillors, the prospect of STV seems to have sent shivers of fear down their backs. Many councillors have been reluctant to support STV - perhaps because they have been served well by the old FPP system that got them elected." said Mr Baxter.

"Or perhaps it's because STV makes councillors work harder. Some members of the Irish parliament argue STV actually compels them to spend too much time responding to their constituents, so they will be re-elected. This sounds just like the kind of shake-up the DCC needs." said Mr Baxter.

The Returning Officer expects to be able to release the referendum result on Friday afternoon. Its result will be binding on the DCC for its next two elections. Last year, campaigners gathered more than enough signatures to force the Council to hold a public referendum on adopting STV after the DCC had voted against letting the public have a say on adopting STV, despite health boards universally adopting it.

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