Ads could give local body elections the 'x' factor

The public could be bombarded with advertising about the merits of voting in local body elections in the future.

The Electoral Commission is recommending it takes over responsibility for promoting local body elections along with its current role of raising awareness about voting in general elections.

Spokeswoman Helena Catt believes that could improve voter turnout significantly.

She says in her opinion, there are two basic reasons people fail to place as much importance on local body elections as they do general elections.

Dr Catt says that is because of a lack of knowledge about what local bodies do and a lack of ability to distinguish between candidates.

- NEWSTALK ZB