Police tight-lipped about prep for general election amid concerns of divisive contest

They refused to release a risk assessment as that was still underway.
They refused to release a risk assessment as that was still underway. Photo credit: Getty Images.

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".

RNZ