Don't post to the politics forum on polling day?

Forums › Politics › Don't post to the politics forum on polling day?

frednz

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Topic # 223264 21-Sep-2017 12:10

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10698431/Jonah-Lomu-among-stars-referred-to-police-over-vote-tweets

The above 2014 article reported that:

Prime Minister John Key believes All Blacks Israel Dagg and Jonah Lomu were acting in ignorance of the law when they tweeted support for National on election day.

The two, along with rower Eric Murray, tweeted on election day who they voted for, which is a breach of electoral rules.

So, would this apply to this Geekzone Politics Forum? Perhaps it will be closed on Friday night?

freitasm

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Reply # 1870149 21-Sep-2017 12:12

3 people support this post

Yes, and good point... Might lock it until the election is over.

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Wiggum

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Reply # 1870160 21-Sep-2017 12:16

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I don't get this rule anymore, especially now that early voting seems so popular.

I think its good policy for political parties etc to zip their mouths on election day, and make sure all of their advertising material is down. Pushing this onto the public though seems stupid.

Thanks for the warning though, I guess many people are actually oblivious to this law.

Pumpedd

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Reply # 1870209 21-Sep-2017 12:41

I believe most would have made up their minds by now, and all people who post here have probably decided.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1870229 21-Sep-2017 13:06

Is it required of private forums etc?

Edit:

I answered my self....

http://www.elections.org.nz/parties-candidates/all-participants/social-media

Mike
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Geektastic

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Reply # 1870328 21-Sep-2017 15:20

Wiggum:

I don't get this rule anymore, especially now that early voting seems so popular.

I think its good policy for political parties etc to zip their mouths on election day, and make sure all of their advertising material is down. Pushing this onto the public though seems stupid.

Thanks for the warning though, I guess many people are actually oblivious to this law.

I agree. It is a ridiculous rule.

MikeB4

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Reply # 1870349 21-Sep-2017 15:41

One could argue that this makes a Forum OK, no one is forced to look at the page so the could be said to voluntarily access it. But then again is it worth the risk, better to lock it and save MF some money

the material is only made available to people who voluntarily access it, and
no advertisements promoting the page or site are published on election day.

Mike
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Mac user, Windows curser, Chrome OS desired.

The great divide is the lies from both sides.

Geektastic

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Reply # 1870355 21-Sep-2017 15:48

What's the point of such an asinine rule in 2017?

If the Electoral Commission genuinely think they can control what people post on line they have lost the plot. Likewise, why does their censorship attempt not extend to what people say in the pub etc?!

MikeB4

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Reply # 1870357 21-Sep-2017 15:50

Geektastic:

What's the point of such an asinine rule in 2017?

If the Electoral Commission genuinely think they can control what people post on line they have lost the plot. Likewise, why does their censorship attempt not extend to what people say in the pub etc?!

yeah it does seem a bit like King Canute

Mike
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sen8or

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Reply # 1870381 21-Sep-2017 16:41

Because people are sheep and need protecting from themselves? Intensive lobbying by the parties for the x number of days still leaves the voter wondering what they will do, right up until they see a post of their favorite rugby player having just voted for x party, "thats who i'll vote for" baas the sheep...

yeah right

Fred99

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Reply # 1870448 21-Sep-2017 18:37

Sure it's unworkable to enforce and ridiculous to expect that an individual's expressed opinion on a blog threatens democracy, but presumably the restriction on campaigning / advertising probably has good intent - that if a political party were to make fake allegations, claims etc against their opposition at the last minute, there's no chance for independent scrutiny by the media etc.

As for social media, there's more of a potential problem with that than some sport player announcing who they voted for and why. There was clearly a very orchestrated fake news campaign via social media in the US election and probably also in the UK during the leadup to the brexit referendum. It's a problem - perhaps not as big a problem here as in the US and UK, but it's probable that it will come if it's not already here.

The EC is farting against thunder if and when that happens. NZ is insignificant enough to not be a target - or should I say that both major party policies aren't promoting policies that would upset a foreign power. But it hasn't always been that way - and may not be that way in future.

Rikkitic

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Reply # 1870458 21-Sep-2017 19:20

What about all the posts advocating one or the other that are already there? Does the whole site have to be shut down? Lock up the libraries with yesterday's political adds in the newspapers?

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freitasm

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Reply # 1870469 21-Sep-2017 19:53

Rikkitic:

What about all the posts advocating one or the other that are already there? Does the whole site have to be shut down? Lock up the libraries with yesterday's political adds in the newspapers?

No. Read the bits about Election Day from the link posted above:

On election day (from midnight on 22 September until 7pm on 23 September) posting or sharing any statement that is likely to, or intended to, influence which candidate or party a person should, or should not, vote for is prohibited. The election day rules make no exemption for the expression of personal political views online. Paid online election advertising is prohibited on election day.

Election advertising does not have to be removed from social media so long as:

the material was published before election day
the material is only made available to people who voluntarily access it, and
no advertisements promoting the page or site are published on election day.
It is fine to remind people to get out to vote or that you’ve just voted. For example, filters or frames saying you have voted can be used on social media on election day. However, care should be taken not to post anything that encourages voters to vote, or not to vote, for a particular candidate or party. Posts on social media that are not connected in any way with the election can of course be posted on election day. We recommend you do not use profile pictures or frames (after midnight on 22 September) that support a candidate or party to avoid the risk of committing an offence if you post using the picture or frame on election day.

Posting a photograph of a completed ballot paper online on election day could breach the election day rules because of the prohibition under section 197 of the Electoral Act on publishing a statement that is likely to influence how another voter should vote.

The Commission does not actively monitor conduct on social media during the run up to the election or on election day, but we will respond if there are complaints.

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DarthKermit

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Reply # 1870481 21-Sep-2017 20:22

In the 2014 election, this Politics forum didn't exist. IIRC there was a political thread or two going in Off topic at the time and Mauricio simply hid the relevant thread(s) on election day.