A bill that would prevent any prisoner from voting in a
general election has fallen foul of the Bill of Rights Act.
The member's bill was drafted by National Party MP Paul
Quinn, who doesn't think a person in prison for just a day
should be allowed to vote.
Under current law prisoners serving a sentence of three years
or more are disqualified.
Attorney-General Chris Finlayson presented a report on the
bill yesterday, saying it appeared to be unjustifiably
inconsistent with electoral rights affirmed by the Bill of
Rights Act.
He said the effect of Mr Quinn's bill would be a blanket
disenfranchisement of convicted persons detained in prison on
election day.
The bill also appears to contravene the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is affirmed in
the Bill of Rights Act.
The covenant recognises the right of citizens to vote
"without unreasonable restrictions" and says that if the
right is suspended it should be proportionate to the offence
and sentence.
The first reading debate on Mr Quinn's bill started last
night, but was interrupted after a few minutes when
Parliament adjourned at 10pm.
The debate will be concluded in two weeks' time, when a vote
will be taken to decide whether it is sent to a select
committee for public submissions.
Contravention of the Bill of Rights Act does not prevent
Parliament from passing legislation.
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