Introduction

The Chief Electoral Office is responsible for the conduct of general elections, by-elections and referenda. It also provides advice to Ministers and to Select Committees of Parliament on electoral issues. The Office is a division of the Ministry of Justice, although in the application of the electoral law the Chief Electoral Officer acts independently.

This business plan covers the planning period through to and beyond the 2005 general election. The plan is part of the wider strategic plan of the Ministry of Justice.

The plan is designed to provide guidance for our office in carrying out its many activities. I hope that the plan will also be of interest to those many people who are interested in elections and in New Zealand democracy at work.

David Henry
Chief Electoral Officer

Overview

The plan is divided into 3 parts:-

Part I – Strategy - including the assumptions and context in which our detailed planning occurs

Part II – Operations- including  the detailed projects and timetables through to 2006

Part III - The 2002 general election - basic statistical information relating to the 2002 general election.

The Challenges

Planning for general elections and by-elections under New Zealand’s constitutional system provides many challenges, not the least of which is that the date of the election is unknown until a few weeks beforehand. This means that many tasks cannot be completed until the date is certain.  Prime examples are the employment of many thousands of temporary staff and the securing and supply of polling places.

Each parliamentary term the Chief Electoral Office seeks to improve its service to the voting public and to the political parties and candidates who contest elections. We strive to ensure that there is public and political confidence in the management of elections and that the office acts with integrity and impartiality.

The Plan

 Chief Electoral Office business plan 2003-2006