September 22, 2017
Disallowed vote sparks petition
Should a vote count from beyond the grave.
That’s the question being asked by whanau and friends of former Mana Party national executive member Mehara Tamaki, who died last week aged just 19 soon after casting an advance vote.
The Electoral Act says her vote must be disallowed because she died before the close of the day before polling day.
Makaore Hotorene, the author of a change.org petition calling for a change in the law, says Ms Tamaki was inspired by the Mana Party and in turn inspired others.
"It was the (Internet-Mana) campaign three years ago that instilled that determination into Mehara to pursue a career in politics but not only that, to make a large effort to get Hone (Harawira) back into parliament and so it had been a three year build-up for Mehara to cast an early vote and then pass later that day," he says.
"The petition will continue after tomorrow’s election.
Visit www.change.org/p/electoral-commission-new-zealand-make-mehara-s-vote-count.
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