Election Commission gets new President

Former High Court Judge and Massey University Chancellor Justice Hugh Williams will be the next President of the Electoral Commission.

He succeeds Judge Andrew McGechan, who is also a former Judge of the High Court.

Justice Minister Simon Power announced the appointment made by Governor General Anand Satyanand on November 9.

The term of office of the Electoral Commission President is two years.

A press notification said that Justice Williams retired on September 22 from the High Court where he was a Senior Puisne Judge. 

He was earlier a Master of the High Court for six years. 

The Electoral Commission is an independent Crown entity that registers political parties and party logos. 

It also receives donations protected from disclosure, parties’ annual returns of donations, and returns of election expenses. 

It allocates election broadcasting time and funds to eligible political parties prior to general elections. 

The Electoral Commission is also responsible for dissemination of information to the public on electoral matters and for advising ministers and Parliament on electoral policy. 

The Parliament is currently considering The Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill that seeks to establish a new Electoral Commission with over-arching responsibility for electoral administration.

The Bill, if approved, will transfer the functions of the Electoral Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer to the new body on October 1, 2010, well in time for the 2011 elections. Another bill will transfer the functions of the Chief Registrar of Electors to the new commission on October 1, 2012.