Electors of the Manawatū District Council have a right to demand a poll to countermand the use of the First Past the Post electoral system. Should a valid demand for a poll be received on or before 11 December 2023, a poll will be held by 14 March 2024 on whether the First Past the Post or the Single Transferable Voting electoral system will be used for the next two triennial elections (2025 and 2028). If a valid demand for a poll is received after 11 December 2023, a poll will be held after 14 March 2024 with the outcome applicable for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections.

A valid demand must be:

• made in writing;
• signed by at least 5% of eligible electors of the Manawatū District Council (as at the 2022 local election). This equates to 1,117 elector signatures;
• delivered to the Manawatū District Council, 135 Manchester Street, Feilding;
• by 5pm, Monday 11 December 2023 (for the outcome of the poll to apply to the 2025 triennial election of the Manawatū District Council).

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it their full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Manawatū District Council.

Dated: 15 September 2023

Shayne Harris, Chief Executive
Manawatū District Council

Public Notice of Electoral System and Right to Demand a Poll (PDF file, 489.4 KB)