The proposed bill in the House of Delegates is set to revolutionize the voters’ registration list. It will require relevant government agencies to furnish specific information to the Palau Election Commission, thereby ensuring a comprehensive update of Palau’s voter registration list.
The House bill 11-125-12, HDI, has successfully passed the third reading in the House and has now been transmitted to the Senate for further deliberation. This bill, which amends the Palau National Code, Title 23, Chapter 12, mandates various government entities to submit necessary information to the Palau Election Commission. The aim is to remove voters who are deceased or no longer eligible to vote.
The bill states that no later than 10 business days after a Palauan citizen has died, the Bureau of Health Administration must submit a copy of that citizen’s death certificate to the Palau Election Commission. It also mandates the Palau Election Commission to work with private mortuaries to obtain death certificates of Palauan citizens who were not issued death certificates in Palau.
Under the proposed bill, the Attorney General is also mandated to provide to the Palau Election Commission a “copy of the relevant information” showing the loss of Palauan citizenship not 10 days after the relinquishment or adjudication relating to the loss. The Attorney General is also mandated to provide information on each Palauan citizen who has been convicted of a felony or has completed their sentence for felony conviction no later than 10 days after conviction or completion.
The bill also ensures fairness by mandating the Palau Election Commission to provide a notice or opportunity to a person whose name is to be removed from the voter’s list to be heard. This provision ensures that every citizen’s voice is heard and respected.