Hawke's Bay and All Blacks rugby star Israel Dagg may be in hot water after his controversial election-day tweet was referred to police.
The Electoral Commission said it referred 26 incidents to police on Monday in response to complaints about social-media content on election day.
"These include comments posted by high-profile sports personalities Israel Dagg, Jonah Lomu and Eric Murray," the Electoral Commission said.
The 26-year-old fullback, who is on tour with the All Blacks as they prepare for a test match against England in London this week, has more than 87,000 Twitter followers.
He tweeted at 1.23pm on election day: "Just voted for @johnkeypm and the National party all the best for tonight #blueallday #National".
Publishing anything on election day which could potentially influence another voter is prohibited until voting booths have closed, under the Electoral Act 1993.
The rule applies to social media users as well as main-stream media, and the maximum penalty for a breach is $20,000, according to the Electoral Commission.
Dagg could not be reached for comment by Hawke's Bay Today following the initial posting of his tweet, which he soon deleted and apologised for in a subsequent tweet.
However, Dagg is not the only sports star to have a tweet referred to police. All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu, who has more than 49,000 followers, may be in trouble, too, for posting on election day: "@johnkeypm All the best Tonight Get in there everyone your last chance to vote and grow NZ go "National" #vote2014nz". And Olympic gold medal-winning rower Eric Murray tweeted: "Get out & vote NZ! Plenty of time left #decision14 Don't worry @johnkeypm you got my vote! #sportfunding".
The Electoral Commission said the 26 incidents compared to five referrals for similar matters after the 2011 general election.
They said 24 of the incidents involved people publishing or distributing statements likely to influence voters on election day in breach of section 197 of the Electoral Act 1993, including two incidents in which a person posted a photograph of a completed ballot paper together with a statement that could influence voters.
Thirteen incidents which were also referred involved people sharing a video featuring John Key and a "vote National Party" message on the Young Nats Facebook page after the close of advance voting on Friday, September 19.
Another two incidents have been referred to police for further investigation after two individuals allegedly posted online that they intended to vote more than once. Voting more than once is an offence under section 215 of the Electoral Act.
Prime Minister John Key said people had to obey the law.
"It's not for me to speak about their particular case but I'd probably surmise at least it was done out of ignorance of the law rather than some intent," he said.
Asked if people should face prosecution for a tweet, he said the increased use of social media and rise in advance voting raised some issues. Social media in particular was difficult to control.
"Generally the police seem to be in my experience pretty good at it - looking at what might be atechnical breach versus something more serious."
The Electoral Act prohibits any electioneering on election day itself and Mr Key indicated he would be reluctant to change that.
Police confirmed a referral from the Electoral Commission regarding 26 incidents in relation to this year's general election had been received.
"This information will now be assessed to determine what further steps are necessary. Police will not be providing any further comment."
- additional reporting, NZME.