National would ditch a newly established electoral law panel if it wins the election.

Details of the experts panel to look at electoral law and the funding of political parties was announced by the Green Party on Friday.

The Greens got the Government agree to the panel and a citizens forum into the issue during negotiations around the Electoral Finance Act.

Green co-leader Russel Norman said he hoped it would create a non-partisan discussion over what had become a contentious issue.

National deputy leader Bill English said his party would not proceed with the panel in Government.

"The only way forward is a multi-party process that ensures no political party can screw the scrum in their own favour," he said.

"The EFA was passed by a Labour-led majority and strongly opposed by National and others. It has been an unmitigated mess."

Last week Electoral Commission chief executive Helena Catt said the law had had a chilling effect on political activity.

Mr English also criticised the Government for not consulting it on appointments -- usually government consults opposition when an election is close.

Electoral academics Andrew Geddis (chairman), Stephen Levine and Jean Drage were appointed to the expert panel.

Professor Geddis said initial work would be studying electoral agencies at work in election year.

The panel would also convene the citizens' forum with representation from each electorate.

"Any recommendations relating to electoral finance regulation will reflect the views of ordinary voters participating in the citizens forum, with our role simply being to provide that forum with the information it needs to reach a fully informed decision," Prof Geddis said.

Dr Norman said the forum would be set up in early 2009 and it would take the debate away from political parties and hand it to citizens without a vested interest.

"While the (Electoral Finance) Act was needed to close loopholes in the law revealed at the next election, we need a more inclusive and disinterested process to further consider the bigger picture of political party and election funding," Dr Norman said.

Mr English said the EFA was intended to reduce public involvement in the election and would be repealed by National.