Referral to the Police - 9 March 2016
On 8 and 9 March 2016, the Electoral Commission referred four incidents to Police for further investigation involving individuals who posted on social media that they have voted or intended to vote more than once using other electors’ voting papers in the second flag referendum.
It is an offence for a person to complete any voting paper knowing that he or she is not the person intended to receive the voting paper and to return such voting papers under section 59 of the New Zealand Flag Referendums Act 2015.
A person convicted of an offence under section 59 is guilty of a corrupt practice which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of two years and/or a fine up to $40,000.
The Electoral Commission will not be commenting further on matters that are with the Police.