Calls for review after low voter turnout for local body elections

Figures show just 18.2 per cent of votes have been returned in the Auckland region so far. Photo / Richard Robinson

Auckland electoral officer Dale Ofsoske is calling for online voting to increase participation at local body elections.

Latest figures show just 18.2 per cent of votes have been returned in the region so far.

That's slightly higher than the last election, but down from the election in 2010.

Today, Ofsoske said online voting would be a good solution to increase the voter turnout, particularly among young people.

He said there was a push this year to re-engage with young people, whose lives revolved around technology. He favours using both online and postal voting.

Ofsoske said Auckland was ready to go with online voting at this year's local body elections.

Eight councils put up their hand for online voting, but the initiative was canned by the Government in April because of security issues.

At the time, Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston said: "Given real concerns about security and vote integrity, it is too early for a trial.

City Vision, a major bloc of left-leaning candidates, wants a total review of voting.

It says the voting booklet has errors, postal voting poses significant barriers, and there should perhaps be a designated day for voting.

The group also says it's confusing to have one voting system for most council and board positions, but another for district health boards.

It believes low turnout in local elections can't keep being accepted.