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Nine days
on from the closing of the polls, the final steps in deciding an
election winner could be known at the end of the week.
Special votes are being counted around the country with hints
Labour is firming up plans for a coalition without the
Greens.
But there are now calls for an inquiry into the election from New
Zealand First MP Ron Mark who is concerned about cases like the
Queenstown Jack Russell, Toby, whose owner managed to enrol him to
vote.
Surprisingly officials weren't tipped off to his true identity despite Toby's paw print signature. Toby's owner Peter Rhodes filled in the form as a joke and said the successful enrolment highlights the need for more careful scrutiny.
And other claims of voting irregularities are now emerging, including a man who turned up at a polling booth with two EasyVote cards.
Electoral officials said enrolments are 98% accurate and there's no need for an investigation. The concerns come as officials count 218,000 special votes. The results will be declared at 2pm on October 1.
Anyone who wants a recount must apply by October 5 and electorate MPs are confirmed the day after that. List MPs will be confirmed soon after.
Caretaker Prime Minister Helen Clark has met the leaders of the five parties she is likely to deal with when she tries to form a government after special votes are counted and final results are declared.
Those parties are the Greens, New Zealand First, United Future, the Maori Party and the Progressive Party whose support is already assured with sole MP Jim Anderton returning to the cabinet.
Politicians are waiting anxiously for the results with special votes determining the formation of the next government. If the Green Party dips under the 5% threshold they will be out of parliament - dashing Labour's hope of another term in power.
