The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Dr. Daniel Kashikola, has taken a significant step towards enhancing civil registration and identification processes by tabling a comprehensive bill in Parliament.

The proposed legislation aims to modernise and streamline the existing civil registration system, ensuring efficient and accurate recording of vital events and providing individuals with a secure legal identity.

It also includes provision for the appointment of a registrar general and designates the registrar of births, marriages, and deaths as commissioners.

"The bill that I'm introducing, Honourable Speaker, will amalgamate the Births, Marriages, and Deaths Registration Act of 1963, the Audience Act of 1937, the Identification Act of 1996, and certain prohibitions of the Marriage Act of 1961. Honourable speaker, civil registration establishes a person's legal identity; without a legal identity, one is guaranteed to suffer. The comprehensive objects of the bill are to provide for a National Civil Registration System for their notification, registration, and certification of births."

One notable change proposed in the bill is the lowering of the minimum age for obtaining an identity document from 16 to 14 years.

This change is intended to enable young individuals to acquire identity documents before their national examinations.

The proposed legislation also places emphasis on the accurate documentation of causes of death. Doctors will be mandated to record causes of death in their systems, ensuring comprehensive mortality statistics and facilitating effective public health planning.

Failure to comply with this requirement will be treated as a criminal offence.

The discussion on the bill was postponed to allow for further contributions from members of parliament.