New Zealand votes under strict blackout as a closely fought election reaches its final day
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More than half of eligible voters have already cast early ballots as New Zealand enters the last day of a hard-fought general election shaped by a strict election-day blackout and a tight contest between two major parties.
Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. local time on Saturday, the final day of voting, and will remain open until 7 p.m. The Electoral Commission reported that over 1.6 million of the country’s 3.8 million registered voters had already submitted ballots by Thursday, underscoring strong early-voting participation in a contest many see as unusually charged.
New Zealand law imposes a 19-hour blackout on election-day commentary, barring political parties, media outlets and social-media users from discussing campaign issues, likely outcomes or anything that could sway voting behaviour. The restriction also covers billboards, advertising, bumper stickers, T-shirts and profile pictures, with violations punishable by fines of up to NZ$20,000.
Opinion polls ahead of the vote show the centre-right National Party and the centre-left Labour Party locked in a narrow race, with neither appearing close to a clear majority to govern alone. National has promised to restore a budget surplus through fiscal discipline while also expanding the national pension scheme, while Labour is focusing on relief from the cost of living, including cheaper healthcare and transport.
The Electoral Commission aims to release preliminary results covering about 95 percent of polling stations by the end of election night on Saturday, with a final tally — including votes from New Zealanders abroad — expected by 27 November.