Legalise public election tweets, says expert

Dagg (pictured), Lomu and Murray were among 26 cases referred to the police by the Electoral Commission because of tweets or social media posts on election day. Photo / Supplied

An electoral law expert says election day restrictions on people using social media should be eased after tweets by rugby stars Israel Dagg and Jonah Lomu and rower Eric Murray got them into hot water last year.

Dagg, Lomu and Murray were among 26 cases referred to the police by the Electoral Commission because of tweets or social media posts on election day.

Nobody is allowed on election day to publish or distribute on social media, or in traditional advertising forms and the media, any statement that may influence how people vote.

Graeme Edgeler told Parliament's justice and electoral select committee only political parties and groups which campaigned on election issues in the campaign should have to abide by the advertising black-out rules.

"But things like All Blacks sending tweets, and people discussing the weather on the news - what's wrong with saying 'I just voted for John Key, you should too?"'

The sportsmen expressed support for Prime Minister John Key and National in their tweets, which they later deleted and said they had not realised they were breaching rules.

Other referrals included people who had "shared" posts by MPs or parties that had been posted before election day.

A police spokesman said the investigation into the tweets was ongoing.

Mr Edgeler said the high numbers who cast advance votes during the campaign showed people were able to vote without being unduly or unfairly influenced by such things.

"That is probably pretty good evidence that people who vote on election day itself won't be influenced by a tweet or a Facebook comment."

Mr Edgeler said there should be a distinction between political parties and campaign groups who were election campaigning and people voicing personal opinions.

He also believed restrictions on the media should be loosened.

National-aligned blogger David Farrar also made a submission, saying the rules for donations disclosures should be changed to require monthly rather than annual disclosure of donations of more than $15,000, and for weekly disclosure in the lead-up to an election.

He said voters should know about donors before rather than after an election.