17 Nov 2010

Electoral bill introduced to Parliament

4:24 am on 17 November 2010

A bill to transfer the functions of the Chief Registrar of Electors to the new Electoral Commission has been introduced to Parliament.

The first stage of the Government's consolidation of electoral agencies was completed last month when the new Electoral Commission took over the functions of the Chief Electoral Officer and the old Electoral Commission.

Justice Minister Simon Power says the bill will result in the new Electoral Commission becoming a one-stop shop for all electoral matters on 1 October 2012.

He says it will also amend the Electoral Act to give electors the choice to re-enrol and update their details online, without having to complete and sign a printed form.

Mr Power says it will allow an elector's immigration status to be checked at the time the enrolment application is processed, rather than after the individual is enrolled.