There are 534 candidates contesting next month’s election – with more women standing than in 2014. The Electoral Commission has officially released the electorate and party list candidates for the September 23 election. There are 16 registered parties, fielding a total of 534 candidates – slightly down on the 554 people who ran in the last election. This year the gender split is 341 men, 190 women and three gender diverse or not specified. In 2014, there were 390 men and 164 women candidates.
The commission said 3,167,252 people are now on the electoral roll – exceeding the number enrolled at the time of the last election by almost 27,000.
Alicia Wright, chief electoral officer, said another big jump in enrolments was expected before election day.
“We’re especially pleased that 16,694 voters in the 18-29 age group enrolled during August. That’s great, but there are still a lot of people who aren’t enrolled.”
Full Article: Confirmed: 534 candidates gear up for the election – NZ Herald.