Hosted by lecturers Dr Bryce Edwards and Prof Andrew Geddis, the Vote Chat Election Night Special will feature local and national politicians and commentators and be live-streamed on the Otago Daily Times and NZ Herald .
In addition to analysing election results, points of interest include whether National can secure more than 50%, the performance of the Greens, the possible return of Winston Peters and the overall voter turnout.
A small percentage of results on the voting system referendum would also be available on Saturday night. "That should be enough to give a reasonable indication of which way it is swinging", Prof Geddis, of the law faculty, said.
Aside from debate and analysis, the pair were promising an entertaining show which, unlike its television counterparts, would be "loose and irreverent" and feature no advertisements.
"Politics is too important to be taken seriously," Prof Geddis said.
Dr Edwards, of the politics department, said the special was modelled on his weekly VoteChat series, in which politicians were interviewed in front of an audience and broadcast via social media.
While the election night special would not feature an audience at the University's media production studio, it would be streamed live to cater for those wanting a different take on the election.
"It will be a bit alternative and a bit quirky," Dr Edwards said.
• The University of Otago Vote Chat Election Night Special will be streamed live on odt.co.nz from 7pm.
