KEY POINTS:
Election organisers are expecting a 100 per cent turnout from the electorate at Scott Base in Antarctica this year.
"We know about 100 scientists, non-science and defence personnel will be in Antarctica during the election period. Setting up a polling place at Scott Base will make voting easy and accessible for these voters in the 2008 general election," said Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden.
Antarctica New Zealand Scott Base Co-ordinator, Yvonne Boesterling, has been appointed Overseas Returning Officer to Antarctica and will take voting supplies on the first summer flight of the season.
"The conditions might be harsh but we are aiming for a 100 per cent voter turnout in Antarctica for the 2008 general election," she said.
Voting will be open to all eligible New Zealanders in Antarctica including Scott Base and the United States Antarctic Programme at McMurdo.
Voting in Antarctica and in other overseas locations begins on Wednesday, 22 October and finishes at 4.00pm local time on Friday, 7 November.
Voting papers will be flown to Scott Base as soon as the ballot papers are printed and will be returned to New Zealand in time for the Official Count in the two weeks following election day on November 8.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
