28 Jun 2013

Early voting in Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election

8:53 pm on 28 June 2013

Almost 2000 voters have already cast their ballot ahead of Saturday's by-election in Ikaroa-Rawhiti.

Friday is the last day of campaigning for candidates trying to win the eastern Maori electorate seat left vacant by the death of Parekura Horomia in April. The Labour Party MP held the seat for 14 years.

By the end of Thursday, 1939 votes had been cast. Of those, 1582 were ordinary votes and 357 were special votes. The busiest advance voting booths have been in Gisborne and Flaxmere.

At the last general election about 17,000 votes were cast, but turnout is usually lower for a by-election.

All party political billboards, advertising and hoardings must be taken down by midnight on Friday, as no campaigning is allowed on election day so voters can cast their ballot without interference.

Polling booths open at 9am on Saturday.

Candidates

  • Meka Whaitiri (Labour)
  • Na Raihania (Maori Party)
  • Te Hamua Nikora (Mana)
  • Marama Davidson (Green Party)
  • Michael Appleby (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party)
  • Maurice Wairau (independent)
  • Adam Holland (independent)