Photo: Getty Images / Hagen Hopkins
Police investigations are underway following fraud complaints in relation to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board election in Auckland.
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers at Counties Manukau Criminal Investigation Branch said police were investigating 16 complaints that had been forwarded to them from Election Services.
"This investigation remains in the early stages, however they relate to allegations of electoral fraud," he said.
Separately, a petition of inquiry into the conduct of the election at the local board's Papatoetoe subdivision is before the Manukau District Court.
"The respondent to that petition is the independent Electoral Officer for Auckland (from Election Services)," Vickers said.
Last month, RNZ received a complaint alleging "electoral malpractice" in relation to the Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
In addition to voting paper theft, it also claimed voters were being told how to vote inside polling booths and in public places at a Sikh temple in Papatoetoe.
Earlier this month, elected members of the local board's Ōtara subdivision expressed disappointment about being locked out of leadership roles after the newly elected Papatoetoe Action-Team used its four-seat majority to secure both the chair and deputy chair positions.
