New Zealand’s election has been delayed by four weeks as the country sees a resurgence in the number of coronavirus cases after previously reporting to have eradicated the virus.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today the election, set for September 19, would be rescheduled and held on October 17.
The nation will remain in lockdown for an additional 12 days as the country recorded a total of 49 cases.
She said while there was no guarantee the nation would be subject to level two and level three restrictions in September, the safety of voters needed to be the top priority.
“It is clear that the re-emergence of COVID in Auckland at the beginning of the formal campaign period has been cause for concern,” Ms Ardern said.
“While the electoral commission’s primary consideration is the delivery of a safe, accessible and credible election there are other factors that I believe also need to be considered.
“These include the participation of voters and the ability of the electoral commission to reassure them that measures are in place to allow them to participate safely in the community.”
The Prime Minister said it was also necessary that all parties be given an opportunity to properly campaign and acknowledged the “the need for an election to be held in a timely way”.
“moving an election fate, especially this late in the election cycle, is a significant decision, In the end what matters most is what is in the best interests of voters in our democracy,” she said.
