New Zealand’s general election reached its final voting day Saturday, with voters choosing members of a Parliament that typically has 120 seats and preliminary results due after polls close.
The Electoral Commission said more than 1.6 million voters had cast ballots by Thursday’s close, from nearly 3.8 million in total. It aims to make preliminary figures from 95% of polling places available before election night ends.
Polls were scheduled to close at 1 a.m. ET (06:00 UTC) Saturday.
Voting began Oct. 26.
Under New Zealand’s mixed-member proportional system, voters select an electorate representative and a political party. Parliament includes local electorate winners and members allocated based on the national party vote.
The Electoral Commission expects the final result, including ballots cast by New Zealanders abroad, by Nov. 27.
