Electoral Act 1993

Elections - Death or incapacity of candidate

153A: Death or incapacity of constituency candidate after close of nominations and before polling day

You could also call this:

"What happens if a candidate dies or can't run before election day?"

Illustration for Electoral Act 1993

If a candidate for a constituency dies or becomes unable to run after nominations have closed and before polling day, the Electoral Commission must take action. You will see a notice cancelling the poll for the election of a member of Parliament for that district. The Electoral Commission will still hold the poll for the party vote. After the notice is issued, an Electoral Commissioner must add some information to the writ, including the candidate's name and the date the poll was cancelled.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM309665.

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"What happens if a list candidate dies or can't take part after their party's list is submitted"


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153B: Death or incapacity of constituency candidate on polling day, or

"What happens if a candidate dies or can't continue on voting day"

Part 6Elections
Death or incapacity of candidate

153ADeath or incapacity of constituency candidate after close of nominations and before polling day

  1. This section applies if a constituency candidate dies, or his or her nomination is cancelled on the grounds of incapacity, after the close of nominations and before polling day.

  2. If this section applies, then, once the Electoral Commission is satisfied that the candidate has died or, as the case requires, that the candidate’s nomination has been cancelled, the Electoral Commission must,—

  3. in the case of a general election,—
    1. issue a notice cancelling the poll for the election of a member of Parliament for the district; and
      1. proceed to conduct the poll on the part of the ballot paper that relates to the party vote, which for these purposes is to be treated as if it were the only part of the ballot paper; and this Part applies with any necessary modifications; and
      2. in the case of a by-election, issue a notice cancelling the poll.
        1. After a notice has been issued under subsection (2)(a)(i) or (b), an Electoral Commissioner must, on behalf of the Electoral Commission, endorse on the writ—

        2. the name of the candidate whose death or whose incapacity resulted in the cancellation of the poll for the election of a member of Parliament for the district concerned; and
          1. the date of the notice by which the poll was cancelled; and
            1. the date on which the candidate died or, as the case requires, the date on which the candidate’s incapacity was determined.
              Notes
              • Section 153A: inserted, on , by section 61 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2002 (2002 No 1).
              • Section 153A(2): replaced, on , by section 99(1) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 82).
              • Section 153A(3): amended, on , by section 99(2) of the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 82).
              • Section 153A(3): amended, on , by section 32(2)(a) of the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Act 2010 (2010 No 26).