As a new Kiwi, I voted for the first time last Saturday at the Old Village Polling Station, 17th Avenue.
I was most surprised to see a political party official, complete with rosette, sitting with the Polling Staff Staff. If this is accepted practise, I would ask the following:
1. What is their purpose?
2. How much influence/control do they exercise?
3. On what basis are they selected to attend?
4. If one party is allowed, do not all political parties have the same right?
There could be a situation where there are more political officials than polling staff!!!
Allowing political party officials into polling stations does not present a neutral environment to Kiwis nor does it convey a neutral voting system to world opinion.
A system doesn't just have to be fair, it has to be seen to be fair.
I am interested in the voting public's views.

John Rathlou, Tauranga.

Chief electoral officer Robert Peden responds:
The political party officials your correspondent describes are scrutineers. Under the Electoral Act 1993 candidates may appoint one or more scrutineers to oversee the voting process although the number of scrutineers appointed by a candidate cannot exceed the number of issuing officers in the polling place.
Scrutineers must complete a declaration of secrecy that they will not disclose any information other than in accordance with their scrutineer functions, and are allowed to communicate the names of persons who have voted back to their party. In all other respects they are bound by an obligation of secrecy.
Scrutineers are not allowed to communicate with voters or otherwise attempt to influence them as to how to vote.
Their role is simply to oversee the voting process, to help ensure there are no irregularities. In this regard scrutineers play an important role in ensuring the integrity of the election process
They are legally permitted to wear a lapel badge or rosette in party colours with the party name, logo or slogan on it, as well as clothing in party colours.