New Zealand counts votes by hand. On election night, officials do a preliminary count of ordinary votes and release running totals. Afterwards every vote is recounted carefully in the official count, special votes are checked and added, and the final result is declared about two to three weeks later.
New Zealand counts votes by hand. On election night, officials do a preliminary count of ordinary votes and release running totals. Afterwards every vote is recounted carefully in the official count, special votes are checked and added, and the final result is declared about two to three weeks later.
Counting starts when voting closes at 7pm.
Election-night numbers are preliminary.
The official count recounts everything.
Special votes are added at the official count.
The preliminary count is designed for speed so the country can see a result on the night. The official count is designed for accuracy, and it checks the work rather than trusting it.
Small differences between the two counts are normal and expected. They are a sign the checking is working, not a sign something went wrong.
Paper ballots counted by people, with observers present, are easy to inspect and recount. It is slower than machines but very hard to tamper with invisibly.
Can there be a recount?
Yes. Candidates can apply for a judicial recount in very close electorates.
Who watches the count?
Officials, and scrutineers appointed by candidates.