Official count for general election underway
The Chief Electoral Office has started the official count process for the 2005 general election, and expects to announce the official results by 2pm
Saturday 1 October.
"During the official count the 2,052,812 votes counted on election night will be recounted and checked to ensure accuracy," says David Henry, Chief Electoral Officer.
"An estimated 218,000 special declaration votes, including 25,000 overseas votes, will be counted once the enrolment details of each voter have been checked."
"The results will be rechecked in the presence of a Justice of the Peace and any scrutineers appointed by political parties and candidates to observe the count."
The official results process starts today (Sunday) but cannot be completed until after the last legal day for special declaration votes to be received in their right electorates.
"Under the law we must allow 10 days, until
on Tuesday 27 September for special declaration votes to be returned from around New Zealand and overseas.
"Checks are made to identify anyone who has voted more than once to exclude their votes from the count," says Mr Henry. "At the end of the process the Official Results are announced."
The official election results for the whole country will be released once the Chief Electoral Office has completed all its checks. The Official Results are expected to be released by
Saturday 1 October. They will also be made available on www.electionresults.govt.nz.
Timetable for official count
| Sunday 18 September | Official count process starts |
| Tuesday 27 September, 7pm | Deadline for return of special declaration votes. |
| Saturday 1 October | Official Results released by (see www.electionresults.govt.nz) |
| Weds 5 October | Deadline for application for judicial recount |
| Thurs 6 October | Return of Writ (if there are no recounts) to the Clerk of the House |
| Friday 7 October | Declaration of election List Members (if no recounts) |