Focus on fast election results

Voters should have a good idea who is winning the election within three hours of polling booths closing on July 27.

The Chief Electoral Office has set targets for election-night counting with the intention of avoiding the shambles of 1999, when many results were delayed late into the night.

Chief Electoral Officer David Henry has set three targets for preliminary results after polling booths close at 7pm:

* Advance votes by 8.30pm. Under new electoral law, these can be counted from the afternoon of election day.

* 50 per cent of polling places by 10pm.

* 100 per cent by 11.30pm.

"That's the target - not a guarantee," Mr Henry said.

Voters should get a strong idea of the preliminary result once half the polling booths had reported, Mr Henry said.

Confidence in the election process was shaken in 1999, when only 39 per cent of the 67 electorates completed preliminary counting on the night.

* Today is the last day to enrol to vote. Late enrolments can be done online at www.elections.org.nz or forms from Post Shops, council offices or libraries can be faxed. If you miss the deadline you can cast a special vote instead.

- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA

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