Agencies join forces as election threats mount

Government agencies are joining forces to strengthen coordination and support public confidence in this year's election.The Ministry of Justice will host the inter-agency Coordination Group, which will have "strategic oversight of threats and hazards that could affect" the election.Chief executive Andrew Kibblewhite said such risks had rapidly evolved and become increasingly complex."Electoral security threats may include foreign interference, malicious cyber activity, potential threats to candidates, and election-related phishing and scams," he said."New Zealanders must have confidence the electoral process and its outcomes are fair and free from undue influence."Andrew Kibblewhite.VNP/Louis CollinsThe group will take information from the police joint intelligence group, refer concerns to the strategic crisis management system (ODESC) where necessary, and work in coordination with the Electoral Commission.Agencies involved will be expected to remain impartial, and the work of the group does not override or replace the mandate of any agency, in accordance with the protocols of the General Election set out by the Commission.The protocols for the election say the police intelligence group would monitor and provide timely, accurate insight on threats or violence towards MPs, candidates and election events, law-and-order concerns that could prevent people engaging in the election, and real or perceived electoral impropriety that threatens a key democratic institution by causing widespread distrust of the electoral process and outcome.A senior officials committee led by the chief electoral officer will also provide guidance on election support activities across agencies, while a risk and security working group led by the deputy chief electoral officer will develop risk management approaches.