20 Sep 2014

Leaders make sure their votes count

8:26 pm on 20 September 2014

The leaders of New Zealand's political parties made sure their votes counted, with a number casting advanced votes in this year's election.

John Key and David Cunliffe on election day.

John Key and David Cunliffe on election day. Photo: RNZ / Reuters

Several party leaders voted in advance, including Labour's David Cunliffe, the Greens' Metiria Turei and Russel Norman, the Internet Party's Laila Harre, Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia and the Conservatives' Colin Craig.

National's John Key, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and ACT's Jamie Whyte voted in Auckland today.

Winston Peters speaks to media after voting in Auckland.

Winston Peters speaks to media after voting in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

Mana Movement leader Hone Harawira was expected to vote in Whangarei this afternoon while Maori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell voted this morning in Rotorua.

Laila Harre voting in the Epsom electorate on Suffrage Day.

Laila Harre voted in the Epsom electorate yesterday, on Suffrage Day. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson

United Future leader Peter Dunne also voted in Wellington, today.

The Electoral Commission said more people have registered to vote in today's election than at the last one in 2011.

A final total is yet to be released but the latest figures show 3,096,240 people have registered for the country's 51st general election, at least 20,000 more than three years ago.

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