20/01/2005

Oto candidates suffer under STV voting system

Otorohanga District Development board is angry STV voting cost the town its representation.
A letter from the board, expressing its concern about the STV voting system, has been forwarded to the Minister of Health Annette King.
It outlined the community's anger at Single Transferable Voting, which last year became the required method for voting in District Health Board elections, replacing the old ward system.
The loss of wards meant it was no longer necessary to have a representative in each area within the Waikato DHB catchment, with candidate elected 'at large.'
Instead of voting for a single candidate, voters were required to rank candidates in order of preference, which tended to favour those from large population bases, where they would be known by more people.
The letter, which was discussed at an Otorohanga District Council meeting last month, said STV had "effectively disenfranchised all rural people in the Board area."
Members noted their concern at the loss of some potentially good candidates because they came from rural areas.
The Board. said there no longer appeared to be any representatives from south of Hamilton, and the two previous representatives, Dr Alison Glover and Dr Paul Malpass, had both lost their seats.
"At a time when Government is demonstrating concern with health in general, primary health in particular and the health of Maori and low decile persons, to have this situation arise is a very definite backward step," the board's letter stated.
This concern has been echoed throughout the community, including council.
ODC chief executive David Hall said when. the STV voting system was originally proposed,
council expressed its concern as to how it might reflect on results. Mr Hall said Otorohanga District Council also forwarded a submission opposing the removal of the ward system.
At December's meeting, the council resolved it too would forward members concerns, and those of the wider community, to the Minister of Health.