Electoral System Of New Zealand
Theoretically, New Zealand has universal suffrage meaning all adults 18 years of age and older are allowed to vote. However, as from 2010, sentenced prisoners have been denied that right.
New Zealand has one House of Representatives, usually with 120 members, although this can vary slightly depending on the outcome of the electoral process. Whichever party (or combination of parties) wins the most seats at the general election becomes the Government. The term of the Parliament is set at three years from its first sitting. This means that an election must be held within approximately three years and two months of the previous election (for instance the 2002 election was held on 27 July, the latest date the 2005 election could be held on was 24 September). Elections are traditionally held between October and December, but snap elections in 1984 and 2002 caused some of the following elections to be held earlier.
Read more about Electoral System Of New Zealand: Universal Suffrage, Maori Seats, MMP in New Zealand, Electoral Boundaries, Representation Statistics
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