Weather forecast dampens outlook for New Zealand election

Meteorologists are forecasting rain over much of New Zealand for Saturday's general election, with weather conditions often linked to low voter turnout.
Some areas in the east of the country might see fine spells, but otherwise rain or showers would predominate, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research said in a statement.
In the last general election in November 2011, just 74.2 percent of registered voters cast their ballot, the lowest percentage since 1978.
Radio New Zealand's Poll of Polls average on Thursday showed the governing center-right National Party sitting on 47.5 percent support, enough to return it to power with a combination of the minor party partners in the present coalition.
In the center-left bloc, the main opposition Labour Party was on 24.3 percent support and the Green Party on 13.7 percent.