New Zealand postponed General Election 2020 due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
                     New Zealand postponed General 
Election 2020 due to COVID-19 
Pandemic
INTRODUCTION
• New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the 
country’s general election, originally scheduled for September 19 
this year, would be postponed by four weeks to October 17.
Source: CNN.com
EFFCTIVE HANDLING COVID 19
• New Zealand, a country of 50 lakh people, has been praised for its 
effective handling of the corona virus pandemic.
•  New Zealand has created a record of a total of 22 deaths and 
around 1,600 overall infections.
Source: DW
NO COVID 19 ZONE
• On August 9, the South Pacific nation marked 100 days since it 
stamped out the spread of the virus. 
• For many, life returned to normal as sports stadiums were packed 
and bars and restaurants were open.
Source: Hindustan Times
LATEST CORONAVIRUS WAVE IN NEW 
ZEALAND
• Cases were reported in Auckland, the city was placed under 
lockdown for two weeks on August 12. 
• The 58 new infections are believed to be in a cluster, but authorities 
are yet to determine their origin.
Source: DNA India
RESCHEDULING THE NEW ZEALAND 
ELECTION
• After the Ardern government imposed the Auckland lockdown, the 
 authorities have decide on moving the election date.
• The election has extended for four week.
Source: The Hindu
LOGISTIC ISSUE FOR ELECTION
• The decision was taken after consultations with all parties in the 
country’s parliament.
• It is expected that the delay will cause logistical issues, such as 
ensuring that election workers would be available on the new date.
Source: ProPublica
OPPOSITION LAWMAKERS REACT
• Lawmakers supported the decision as the safety of the nation 
comes first.
• Also public will feel comfortable engaging with the campaign without 
putting their health at risk.
Source: BBC.com
REACTION FROM OPPOSITION PARTY
• Ardern’s opponents accuse her of using the pandemic to shore up 
support as she appears on television nearly while other party 
leaders struggle to get attention.
Source: Newshub
ORIGIN OF SECOND WAVE OF COVID 19
• The origin of the new outbreak is still unknown.
• Authorities are investigating if there is any link to an Americold 
facility in the Australian city of Melbourne, where COVID-19 cases 
have surged in recent weeks.
Source: CNN.com
ELECTION POSTPONE GLOBALLY
• Around the world, authorities have chosen to postpone elections in 
the wake of the pandemic. 
• Hong Kong’s Legislative Council vote has been postponed by a 
year, and many US states moved primary contests for this year’s 
presidential election.
Source: CGTN.com