WELLINGTON, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's voter enrollment rate remained below the level recorded at the last general election in 2023, with three days left before the deadline to enroll, according to figures released by the Electoral Commission on Thursday.
As of Wednesday, 3,729,667 people were enrolled to vote in the Nov. 7 general election, representing 92.1 percent of the estimated eligible population of 4,051,640, the commission said in a statement.
The enrolment rate was below the 94.7 percent recorded at the 2023 election, although the current total number of enrolled voters has surpassed the final 3,688,292 recorded for that election due to rising population, according to the commission.
Young people aged 18 to 24 remained the least likely to be enrolled, with 302,475 already registered, representing 68.6 percent of the estimated eligible population in the age group, the commission said, while reminding voters to enroll or update their details by midnight Sunday for their votes to count.
Advance voting will begin on Monday, with 207 voting places open nationwide. More voting places will open as election day approaches. On Nov. 7, more than 2,300 voting places will operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, the commission said. ■
