Governor-General gives go-ahead for General Election

The Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, has given the green light for this years' general election to be held, clearing the way for candidate nominations to open tomorrow (9 October 2008).

At Government House in Wellington today (8 October 2008), the Governor-General signed the writ directing the Chief Electoral Officer to conduct a general election on 8 November 2008. This is the formal authority to run the 2008 election. 

"The issuing of the writ, or writ day, is a key constitutional step in the election process. The writ sets out the date nominations for candidates close, election day and the date the writ must be returned showing the successful electorate candidates," says Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer.

Under the Electoral Act the Governor-General must issue the writ within seven days of the dissolution of Parliament.

The Chief Electoral Officer must return the writ with the names of the successful electorate candidates to the Clerk of the House of Representatives within 50 days of its issue, on 27 November, if no application for a recount is received.

Candidate nominations close at:

• noon on Monday 13 October for bulk nominations by registered political parties direct to the Chief Electoral Officer.
• noon on Tuesday 14 October for individual nominations to the Returning Officer for the electorate.

These deadlines cannot be extended.  A full list of parties and candidates is expected to be publicly available from www.elections.org.nz by 2pm, Wednesday 15 October 2008.

For more information contact: Chief Electoral Office Communications Advisor, Anna Hughes  Phone 04 498 2320 or mobile 027 28 28 827 www.elections.org.nz