LAWRENCE GULLERY
Police are deciding whether they should take a second look at a complaint made by one Napier City Council hopeful over the publication of candidate profiles.
Clifford Church said police did not ask if he had any evidence to contribute to an investigation into whether fellow Nelson Park ward candidate
Maxine Boag had breached the Local Electoral Act.
Mr Church complained to the council's electoral officer his candidate profile was not included among those published in He Ngakau Hou, a community newspaper edited by Ms Boag.
He claimed Ms Boag had influenced voters by not printing his profile but an initial police investigation found there was no breach of the act.
Ms Boag said she gave Mr Church an opportunity to submit his profile but Mr Church yesterday maintained she did not.
Mr Church said if he had been given the chance, a complaint would never had been made.
Mr Church, a solicitor for Hawke's Bay Community Law Centre in Hastings, said the police must investigate any complaint made to the electoral officer and he was surprised the police prosecution section did not handle the matter.
"While the investigation carried out by (police) constable Lee Snee included an interview with Ms Boag, I have not been asked for any evidence of information regarding the complaint I made.
"So my concern is the police are unlikely to be fully informed ... " he said.
Mr Church said he had asked police eastern district commander superintendent Sam Hoyle to press for the investigation to be re-opened.
Last week Ms Boag called for an apology from Mr Church.
Breaching the Local Electoral Act, section 122, which related to interfering with voters with the intention to influence or advising people on how they should vote, could draw a fine of up to $5000.
