Court of Appeal Upholds Injunction Against Electoral Commission

The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court injunction preventing the Electoral Commission from enforcing its proposed 7.5% vote deduction against the National Party ahead of the May 2026 General Election.

The court ruled that preserving the status quo remained necessary while wider legal questions surrounding the sanction are considered, maintaining that enforcing the deduction before full proceedings conclude could risk undermining electoral fairness and democratic legitimacy.

The Electoral Commission had sought emergency relief after refusing to comply with the original injunction issued by The Right Honourable BeanJ earlier on Friday.