‘Big brother’ criticised

Press, 9 December 1988, Page 4

‘Big brother’ criticised

Detailed recommendations on how to get more people to enrol on the electoral rolls are contained in the Electoral Law Committee’s report to the Government. But some of these recommendations have been criticised by the Opposition for introducing “big brother” into the electoral system.

An Opposition committee member, Mr Doug Graham (Nat., Remuera), said the proposal involved breaking the rules of confidentiality.

One recommendation in the report called for all central Government offices, other than the Inland Revenue Department, and all offices of local authorities and other governing bodies would be required to furnish particulars of names and addresses of clients to the Registrar of Electors.

Information provided from these sources should be strictly confidential, he said.

Many people had no choice but to register with

some agencies, such as the Department of Social Welfare, and their personal particulars should not be made available to the Registrar simply to help him revise the electoral rolls. The committee also recommended voting via a ballot paper that included the full name of the candidates, their party name and a symbol. The voter would then mark a circle next to their preferred candidate’s name, party and symbol with a tick.