A Tauranga political candidate's belief that independent candidates should have their own political colour will have to wait until after the general election under current legislation.

Tauranga independent candidate Rusty Kane believes independent candidates are represented unfairly due to a lack of political logo and colour – unlike the blue of the National Party or the Labour Party's red.

Tauranga independent candidate Rusty Kane would like orange to represent all independent candidates. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

After collecting his electoral papers and instructions this week Rusty noticed what he believes is a distinct disadvantage for a minority of candidates.

Rusty is part of 38 unregistered party and independent candidates nationwide – of a total 554.

'Every candidate has a party logo and colour but independent candidates. Why don't they [the Electoral Commission] have a universal colour for them?

Rusty says a worthy colour would be orange due to it being the catchy colour of the electoral commission.

A colour and logo helps people associate themselves with a certain party or candidate and the lack of independent representation is a glaring omission, he says.

'It's wrong and unfair. It's all or nothing I believe.”

Electoral Commission communications and education manager Anastasia Turnbull says there is no room for adjustment before September 20.

Anastasia says Rusty's concern is a parliamentary matter heard by the Justice and Electoral Select Committee which reviews the election and electoral rules triennial.

Chaired by Minister of Justice Chester Burrows, the committee considers matters relating to Crown legal and drafting services, electoral matters, human rights, and justice – including the Electoral Act 1993.

The Electoral Amendment Bill seeks to make amendments to the Electoral Act 1993 to improve services to voters, candidates and parties in time for the general election.

In April 2013, following an inquiry into the 2011 general election, the bill sought to implement 11 of the committee's recommendations requiring legislative changes.

Anastasia says any changes to the Electoral Act can only be made following the election through public submissions, something Rusty can also do.

'It's the law really. It's part of the way parliament has prescribed in the electoral act what the ballot paper must look like.

'If he's not happy with the current legislation, then the options are when the Justice and Electoral Select Committee review the election and electoral rules after this election, people can make submission and be part of that process.”