16 May 2023

Police quiet on preparations for general election

8:02 am on 16 May 2023
Line of police arriving at the back of Parliament ahead of an anti-newsprotest.

Line of police arriving at the back of Parliament ahead of a protest in August, 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver

Police are keeping tight-lipped about their preparations for the general election in October.

Some commentators suggest the high levels of online disinformation indicate the campaign will be more divisive than usual.

In an OIA response, police said their planning and response, under code name E23R, was "in the very early stages of development".

They refused to release a risk assessment as that was still underway.

Briefings to Minister of Police Ginny Andersen would be released by the government shortly, police said.

A separate briefing earlier this year to the incoming minister said E23R would directly impact lots of work groups, and might mean calling up resources beyond the usual.

Police told RNZ it was unlikely any future documents will be released until "after the election has been finalised".

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