New Zealand introduces law that makes it harder to vote

FILE PHOTO: People head to the polls to vote in the general election in Auckland, New Zealand October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo

WELLINGTON (Reuters) -The New Zealand government on Tuesday introduced a law that will prevent people from enrolling to vote on election day and bar prisoners from casting their ballot while in jail, in a move critics say could reduce voter participation.

The proposed law, which passed its first of three readings in parliament on Tuesday, will allow people to enrol to vote only up to 13 days before an election. Currently potential voters can enrol up to and on election day.