Media activity on election day - Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election
Election day for the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti by-election is Saturday 29 June 2013.
The Electoral Commission advises that no campaigning of any kind is allowed on election day. This covers any statement that is likely to influence a voter to vote or not to vote for any candidate, or to abstain from voting.
The general intention is to leave voters alone from midnight until 7pm on election day so they can vote without interference. The key messages are:
- News items must not include any words or images likely to influence voters.
- Restrictions apply to photographing or filming voters or candidates at or near voting places on election day.
All by-election advertising and other statements, by anybody including the media, which could influence voters cannot be published or broadcast on election day until after voting closes at 7pm.
Newspapers published after 6 pm on the day before election day are treated as being published on election day.
Election related news stories posted on websites before election day can remain, as long as new material is not added before the close of the poll at 7pm and the website is not advertised on election day. Comment functions should be disabled on election-related websites or webpages until after 7pm on election day to avoid readers posting statements that could influence voters. The same rules apply to the use of social media, such as Twitter and Facebook. Posts that are not connected in any way with the by-election can of course be posted on election day.
News media may print or broadcast a statement having direct or indirect reference to the election. A news item may note that the by-election is taking place, and when results will be available. Candidates’ names can be mentioned, but the item must not include any words or visual images that are likely to influence voters about how they should vote.
It is not a defence to argue that an election day publication is balanced (e.g., it looks at the pros and cons of a particular issue that has featured during the election), or that it does not mention the name of a candidate, or that all candidates are given equal coverage.
The test is whether the publication is likely to influence a voter.
Broadcasters should take care with any items that feature candidates, or include interviews with candidates or party officials. If in any doubt, broadcasters should delay broadcasting a by-election-related item until after voting closes at 7pm.
Photo/filming opportunities on election day
Candidates may only be in a voting place for the purpose of voting.
Media organisations can take photos or film at a voting place as long as:
- the prior approval of the Returning Officer has been obtained. Media must contact the Electoral Commission before election day to arrange this;
- no photographs or footage are taken of voters actually completing their voting papers or showing how a person voted. Media cannot go behind the voting screens;
- photographers or camera crews do not disrupt voters from voting, or officials from their duties;
- no undue delays are caused to voters;
- no interviews are conducted in or near the voting place.
The Electoral Commission’s role
Where the Electoral Commission becomes aware of a breach through the media or receives a complaint the Commission will look into the incident and where appropriate refer the matter to the Police.