Referendum Deadline Only Hours Away

A deadline for taking part in the referendum on the question “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” is just hours away.

Friday 10 July 2009 is the last chance for the thousands of people who have moved house or flat since the last general election to update their enrolment details to ensure they get their referendum voting papers sent to them correctly.

“People have the choice to vote, but it is compulsory to enrol,’ says Murray Wicks, National Manager, Electoral Enrolment Centre. “Keeping your enrolment details up-to-date makes it easier for you to vote.

“Everyone who is enrolled correctly by Friday 10 July will get their voting papers sent to them in the post from Friday 31 July.”

Since the 2008 general election tens of thousands of people have been removed from the electoral rolls because they have not updated their address details with the Electoral Enrolment Centre.

“There may be thousands of people out there who think they’re enrolled, but because they’ve moved house and not updated their enrolment details they are no longer on the electoral roll,” says Mr Wicks.

“If you think this might be you, fill in an enrolment form now to update your enrolment details.”

People can enrol or update their enrolment details on the elections website www.elections.org.nz. Enrolment forms are also available by Freetexting your name and address to 3676, from any PostShop or by calling Freephone 0800 36 76 56.

Voting in the referendum opens on Friday 31 July and closes on Friday 21 August.

ENDS

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