Rodney's yellow jacket referred to police

Rodney Hide campaigning in the controversial yellow jacket. Photo / Martin Sykes

A jacked up complaint about Rodney Hide's trademark yellow jacket breaching electoral law has been referred to police.

The Electoral Commission said the jacket with a logo similar to the ACT logo and the slogan "the guts to do what's right" was potentially a breach of the Electoral Finance Act.

When the complaint to the commission was received Mr Hide said it showed the law was ridiculous.

He was left red-faced when it was revealed the complaint was a stitch up, with the complainant Canterbury ACT supporter Andy Moore.

An embarrassed Mr Hide later said he did not know the complaint came from Mr Moore.

The decision was one of three released by the commission today.

It also referred to police ACT distributing a leaflet in Hunua that urged people to vote for the party without having a promoter statement or formal authorisation from the party.

National candidate Nicky Wagner was also referred to police for handing out a copy of her powerpoint presentation to a candidates meeting.

It suggested that people should vote for National and her, but did not contain proper authorisation.

A complaint about signs encouraging votes for the Greens in Palmerston North were dismissed as inconsequential.

The incoming National Government has said it will scrap the controversial law.

- NZPA