Editorial: Commission right to help gangs enrol to vote

Hastings Mongrel Mob president Rex Timu has assured Electoral Commission staff they would be safe on Mob premises. Photo/ Paul Taylor

So the Mongrel Mob on the East Coast has called in the Electoral Commission to help its members enrol to vote.

One can't help but think back to a week ago to when the Deputy Prime Minister proposed giving police powers to search homes and cars of gang members without a warrant.

Add to that Paula Bennett's original statement that some people have fewer human rights (later corrected to fewer to legal rights than others) it's almost as if gangs feel something is at stake this election.

While parts of the electorate will baulk at the idea of the gangs members getting help to enrol, the Electoral Commission is right to do so.

As it should for any group that needs it: the young, the elderly, immigrants and the housebound.

And remember, this is only about helping people get on the roll.

Nearly one million people did not vote in the last election and the Electoral Commission says it is important to make sure as many as possible vote in this one "regardless of criminal affiliations".

People generally despise gangs because their behaviour is thought of as anti-social.

So when members actually attempt to take part in society - like in May when rival gangs joined forces in Wainuiomata to sign up to vote - we should offer them the help they need.

To expect everyone to buy into our society, we all have to have a say in it.

A reminder too that prisoners currently don't get to vote in New Zealand.

Prisoners are prisoners because our laws, created by the people we collectively elect, deem their actions warrant being locked up.

Yet they have no say in the matter.

The most abhorrent criminal deserves the same vote as the most saintly humanitarian.

It may not be to everyone's liking but that's how democracy works.