The National Federation Party has opposed the National Referendum Bill in its current form as there are fundamental contentious clauses in this that impinge on fundamental rights such as participation of the youth in the process and restrictions on people.
While making their submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, NFP General Secretary Kamal Iyer says Clause 22, which states that no person other than the Supervisor of Elections must make, print, publish, distribute, put up, wear, use, carry or display any badge, any symbol, or anything that resembles campaign, in their view is unnecessary.
He says that if people are not allowed to campaign for or against something in a referendum, it defeats the very purpose of democracy.
Iyer on Bill of Rights 25 mar
Iyer says people in their disenchantment may say that they are going to vote against it because they do not know anything about it.
He says the same goes for Section 23 where no person must by word, message, writing or any other manner endeavor to persuade any person to display anything.
The General Secretary stresses that this is not vote buying or offering inducements.
He also says Clause 27 restricts people under the age of 18 who are not voters from participating in any form in the National Referendum.
He says this discourages the future generations from becoming interested in national politics and in the discourse of their country.
Iyer asks if youth are they able to accompany their parents to any political forum that discusses a referendum.
The General Secretary stresses that this clause needs to be deleted as it is unnecessary.
He also says Clause 25 is about people loitering near a polling venue used for referendum purposes.
Iyer asks how can it be construed that five people who are wandering around a polling venue will cause an obstruction, or are they there to disrupt voting.
He adds the Bill restricts people from within 300 metres of the venue but asks what happens to a person who happens to live within the 300 metres.
Iyer says that with these sections in the Bill, it cannot be supported or brought to the floor of Parliament, and they must be removed.
He adds that this is necessary for any referendum or constitutional changes, whether this year, next year, or in the future, as well as for any national issue the government may put to the people for approval.
