WELLINGTON, New Zealand: The voting is underway in the New Zealand general election on Saturday while it is expected that incumbent Prime Minister John Key will return for a third term.
As many as 3.4 million eligible voters are expected to take part in the election for the South Pacific nation’s 51st parliament.
The ruling centre-right National Party of John Key and the main opposition centre-left Labour Party led by David Cunliffe have both predicted that the outcome would be close.
Under New Zealand’s proportional voting system, the ruling party requires to renew its coalition deal with several minor parties to gain a majority in the 120-seat parliament.
On Friday, a New Zealand Herald poll showed the National Party had 48 percent support while the Labour Party held 26 percent.