Luxon Urges Faster Vote Counting as Electoral Changes Face Criticism

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has called on the Electoral Commission to expedite the official vote counting process following the recent elections. Despite his insistence, the Commission has cautioned that proposed amendments in the government’s Electoral Amendment Bill will not lead to quicker results. Luxon expressed frustration on Friday, stating that he expected officials to “move heaven and earth” to deliver faster outcomes.

Speaking to the media, Luxon highlighted the need for improved efficiency. “We’re living in 2025, I just suggest that the vote can be counted a hell of a lot faster than what we’ve experienced in New Zealand,” he remarked. He further emphasized that other Western economies manage to count votes significantly quicker, suggesting that New Zealand might be among the slowest globally.

The Electoral Commission provided evidence to the Justice Committee on Thursday, indicating that the proposed changes would not shorten the counting process. Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne estimated that official results could still take up to 20 days to confirm due to the necessary integrity checks on approximately 700,000 special votes.

Labour MP Duncan Webb criticized the government’s approach, claiming it could lead to unfair disadvantages for over 200,000 voters who depend on enrolling during early voting or on election day. “Luxon should reverse these changes immediately and improve people’s access to democracy,” Webb stated.

Le Quesne clarified that the Commission did not recommend the proposed reforms, suggesting that insufficient resources were a primary reason for any delays in processing enrollments. Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith confirmed that funding decisions would be addressed during the budget process, implying that financial constraints play a significant role in the current situation.

As the Justice Committee deliberates on the bill, early submissions show most opposition to the proposed reforms. The ongoing debate highlights the tension between the government’s desire for quicker results and the realities of maintaining electoral integrity.

The situation remains dynamic as officials assess the best path forward to ensure both timely election results and fair access to the democratic process for all voters in New Zealand.