More amendments proposed for National Assembly Elections Act
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| The Government Side of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly (photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 4TH 2008 (CUOPM) – The National Assembly Elections Act, Chapter 162 is to be amended when the lawmaking body meets on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas is seeking legislative support to make several amendments.
Clause 3 of the Bill amends the Act by defining the term “qualifying address.”
Clause 4 amends Section 42 of the Act by clarifying those investigations at the homes of persons will be undertaken where the Chief Registration Officer or the Registration Officer deems necessary.
It provides for visits to be made to any house within the constituency for the purpose of ascertaining whether persons whose names appear in any list reside in a particular constituency or are still alive or for such other prescribes purpose as the Chief Registration Officer or the Registration Officer may require.”
Clause 5 of the Bill amends Section 43A of the Act. The objective of the section was to ensure the cleaning up of the list after a period of approximately 10 years but in fact, the way the section is currently worded, places the overseas voters at a greater disadvantage than resident voters. The proposed amendments will make the provision for the cleaning up of the list applicable to all voters in an equal manner.
It is proposed to amend Section 71 of the Act with the insertion of Clause 6 which will facilitate persons who may not have the national identification card but whose names appear in Form 3A. ~~Adz:Right~~
Clause 7 of the Bill amends Section 107 of the Act by adding a new subsection (4) which empowers the Minister to extend the period of re-registration.
Clause 8 seeks to amend Section 108 of the Act, by replacing subsection 2. This provision will provide for the inclusion in the reconstructed Register of Voters, all persons who have transferred to another constituency and any other requested changes which have been confirmed by the Chief Registration Officer.
Clause 9 amends various sections of the Act which makes provisions for fines ranging from EC$500 to EC$50,000 and prison sentences from six months and five years for breaches under the Act.
The Perjury Act of 2005 provides certain specific penalties for various categories of offences involving perjury. However, there are similar offences of the Act, with comparatively low penalties.
