Fresh Covid-19 Outbreak In New Zealand After Several Virus-Free Months, PM Jacinda Ardern Postpones Election

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has postponed the general elections after an increase in coronavirus cases was reported from Auckland.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (Photo | AP)

New Delhi: New Zealand has postponed the country’s general election due to resurgence in coronavirus cases in the country. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the elections which were supposed to take place on September 19 will now be held on October 17. The decision was taken after an increase in cases in the city of Auckland. A report by PTI said that the opposition parties sought a delay last week to put Auckland under a two-week lockdown. They have also halted election campaigning. “Ultimately I want to ensure we have a well-run election that gives all voters the best chance to receive all the information they need about parties and candidates and delivers certainty for the future," said Ardern. The delay in the election is going to cause many practical challenges such as rebooking voting venues and ensuring that thousands of election workers are available on the new date. Ardern has said that she believes that there is enough time to make the changes. New Zealand was the first country to be successful noncontrolling the spread of coronavirus and according to reports, it has gone 100 days free of new Covid 19 cases. On Sunday 13 new cases were reported. The report says that officials believe that these are imported cases although they have not yet determined how it happened. At present there 1631 total Covid 19 cases in the country.