FEO will only register names on birth certificate for elections - Saneem

The Fijian Elections Office is urging all Fijians to ensure the name on their voter card is the same as the one on their birth certificate because they will only register the name that is on the birth certificate for this year’s national election.

This was highlighted by the Supervisor of Elections, Mohammed Saneem when we questioned him on some married women still wanting to use their married name rather than their maiden name on their voter card.

These women say they did not know that they had to include their married name on their birth certificate while others have said they do not want to include their married name in the birth certificate as that is their birth name and identity.

When asked by fijivillage, Saneem says if a person has any other name that he is known by, the person can apply for free, and get that name on their birth certificate.

He says the FEO can facilitate this process for anyone, and the person will receive their new birth certificate and voter card.

Based on the electoral amendment law, a married woman who wants to use her married name on their voter card, has to get their married name included in their birth certificate, and this will qualify her to continue to use her married name as a voter.