New Zealanders have voted to legalise euthanasia for those with a terminal illness, in a landslide victory for campaigners who say anyone suffering extreme pain should be given a choice over how and when to bring their life to a close.
The decision on whether to legalise euthanasia appeared as a referendum question on the 17 October general election ballot paper, alongside a second referendum question on whether to legalise cannabis – which did not succeed.
The results of the euthanasia referendum are binding and will see the act come into effect 12 months from the final results – on 6 November 2021. Assisted dying will be administered by the Ministry of Health.
Preliminary results announced today by the electoral commission saw 65.2% of eligible voters ticked “yes” to legalising euthanasia, with 33.8% ticking “no”.
Only 46.1 % of New Zealanders voted to legalise cannabis, while 53.1% voted no, meaning the legislation would not proceed to parliament.
For years support…
