250,000 eligible voters still to register

A quarter of a million eligible voters have yet to enrol before this Friday's cut-off date for the preliminary electoral rolls.

This is despite a national enrolment blitz, which has seen 28,283 new voters registered in the past month - up from 20,652 for the same time in 2002.

The centre's national manager, Murray Wicks, said the recent surge in enrolments was pleasing, but more still needed to register.

"People must remember that an election could be held at any time, and to vote, they must be enrolled."

At present, 91 per cent of nearly 3 million eligible voters are enrolled. At the 2002 general election, the figure was 94 per cent, with only 165,000 eligible people unregistered.

Mr Wicks said the centre's research had shown that people generally had a high awareness on enrolment, but lacked the follow-through. They had not got round to completing the form or posting it.

He said those who registered early would receive an EasyVote pack, which made voting quicker and easier.

Those who registered late would need to cast a special declaration vote.

To enrol, phone 0800 36 76 56, freetext your name and address to 3676, visit a PostShop or visit www.elections.org.nz for an enrolment form.