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Electoral Commission wants to hear from the public on MMP

Feb 13, 2012 | Media release

The Electoral Commission today launches a review of the MMP voting system, and seeks input from the public on possible changes to the way MMP works.

“This is a chance for all New Zealanders to have their say on how the MMP voting system might be improved,” says the Electoral Commission’s Robert Peden. “Look for more information from the Commission about the review and how to make a submission in Thursday’s newspapers.”

The review was triggered after the 2011 Referendum on the Voting System, in which the majority of voters chose to keep MMP as New Zealand’s voting system. As a result, the Electoral Commission must now carry out an independent review of MMP and report back to Parliament by the end of October this year.

“It’s easy to get information and have your say,” says Mr Peden. “ You don’t need to be an expert - just have a view on how MMP might be improved.You can make your submissions by post, online or by email, and can also present your submission at a public hearing.”

“All the information you need is on our website at www.mmpreview.org.nz, or call freephone 0800 36 76 56 to have an easy submission guide sent to you.”

The Electoral Referendum Act 2010 sets out the issues the Commission must consider in the review. These are—

What thresholds parties should have to cross to qualify for an allocation of list seats in Parliament,
Whether list MPs should be able to stand as candidates in a by-election,
Whether a person should be able to stand as a candidate both for an electorate seat and on a party list,
Whether voters or political parties should decide the order of candidates on a party list,
What should happen when a party wins more electorate seats than it would be entitled to under its share of the party vote, and
The effects of population growth on the ratio of electorate seats to list seats.

The Commission can also consider other issues, as long as they relate directly to the way MMP works. Parliament has excluded Māori representation and the number of Members of Parliament from the review.

Any member of the public, either individually or representing a group or organisation, is invited to make a submission to the Commission, and there are several ways to do this. Submissions can be made online, emailed, or on paper as well as in person at public hearings.

Submissions from people wishing to appear at a public hearing must be received by 5 April, and all submissions must be received by 31 May. Once submissions close, the Commission will develop a set of proposals, based on the information and views presented in submissions and from the public hearings. These will be released as a Proposal Paper in August, and the public will again be invited to comment.

A final recommendation paper will be presented to the Minister of Justice by 31 October.

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