New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern postpones national election amid renewed COVID-19 concerns

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has postponed  national election to September 17, which is a month later than scheduled date, due to COVID-19 pandemic.

As New Zealand continues to report new cases of COVID-19 infection after more than 100 days of cases, Ardern is reported to have said that biggest risk to overcome at moment is to ensure safety of more than 25,000 election workers. 

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While making anuncement, New Zealand PM also said that she h considered postponing elections by just 14 days. However, election commission said that short delay does t provide eugh time for m to prepare for updated date.

As per reports, Ardern ted that under unprecedented circumstances of global health crisis, parliament must consider raised concerns and proposed that parliament reconvenes on Monday, August 17 (local time). 

w, parliament would dissolve on September 6 and vance voting will begin on Saturday, October 3. Reports have also revealed that goverr-general has been vised of updated schedule.

Meanwhile, New Zealand PM ackwledged that ‘Covid is world’s new rmal’. ding that uncertainty posed by coronavirus outbreak is ‘incredibly difficult’, Ardern me it clear that she does t intend on changing election date yet again. 

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New Zealand Deputy PM called for delay

Ardern’s anuncement of delaying general elections to September 17 came after her coalition partner, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters called for same.

Keeping in mind drastic increase in COVID-19 cases, Peters h suggested October 17 and vember 21 as alternative dates. Just on Sunday, August 16, country recorded at least 13 confirmed infections of coronavirus and number of active cases in country has w spiked to 69.

Meanwhile,  Ardern has also extended coronavirus lockdown in country's largest city Auckland after nation’s first outbreak in more than three months was reported. Under level 3 of lockdown, people have been asked to stay indoors and all consumer-facing business establishments will be closed until August 26.

In dition to this, level 2 restrictions that include social distancing and garing limits, will also be extended until same day across or parts of country.

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Im: AP