A former ACT MP suggests political polls should be banned once voting opens up during an election campaign.

Heather Roy argues that polls have the potential to influence undecided voters during an election period- which doesn't mesh with the strict rules against advertising on election day.

She says New Zealand would have fairer and more democratic elections if polls were banned once voting began.

"With this election particularly, we just had poll after poll in the two weeks while people were voting- politicians aren't quite sure if they're talking to people who have already voted or are about to vote. I think there just needs to be a rationalisation and some consistency around the rules." 

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A former ACT MP suggests political polls should be banned once voting opens up during an election campaign.
Heather Roy argues that polls have the potential to influence undecided voters during an election period- which doesn't mesh with the strict rules against advertising on election day.
She says New Zealand would have fairer and more democratic elections if polls were banned once voting began.
"With this election particularly, we just had poll after poll in the two weeks while people were voting- politicians aren't quite sure if they're talking to people who have already voted or are about to vote. I think there just needs to be a rationalisation and some consistency around the rules." 
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With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.