Fijians will now be required to use the name on their birth certificate to be registered as a voter.
Parliament has passed the Electoral Registration of Voters Amendment Bill which now requires Fijians to use the name as stated in their birth certificate and no other aliases.
The Bill, which has now become an Act of Parliament, was tabled by Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and fast-tracked under Standing Order 51.
According to the Act, applicants also need to provide a copy of their birth certificate while registering as a voter.
Debating on the proposed legislation in Parliament yesterday, Mr Sayed-Khaiyum made reference to the ruling of the Court of Disputed Returns last month in the case of Opposition member of Parliament Niko Nawaikula.
“Niko Nawaikula’s case has a significant impact on the National Register of Voters, and the changes to the Electoral Registration of Voters Amendment Bill is necessary to ensure people register with the names on their birth certificate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Parliament has also passed the Interpretation Amendment Bill and the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Bill.
