The Minister of Decentralisation and Local Development George Elanga Obam has defended a bill in this light at the National Assembly.
In a bid to modernize the civil registry framework, government has unveiled a bill designed to overhaul the existing legal provisions governing civil registration. This reform is set to address pervasive challenges and enhance the accessibility of essential civil status documents for millions of citizens. Key innovations in the proposed legislation include the extension of the birth registration period from 60 to 90 days following delivery. This adjustment aims to facilitate timely registrations, particularly in regions where access to registration services is limited. Furthermore, civil administrators will be tasked with promoting the issuance of birth certificates for declarations made beyond the 12-month threshold, thereby mitigating the backlog of unregistered births.
A significant feature of the proposed reforms is the introduction of a Unique Personal Identification Number (UPIN) that will be assigned to every child upon birth registration. This lifelong identifier is designed to streamline the registration process and enhance the integrity of record-keeping across the nation. Additionally, the bill proposes the issuance of digital civil registration certificates, which will carry the same legal validity as their physical counterparts, thus increasing efficiency and reducing opportunities for corruption.
Government underscores that these reforms constitute a pivotal advancement in rectifying the civil status registration system, which has historically faced substantial obstacles. Currently, an estimated seven million Cameroonians lack a birth certificate, a disparity the government is intent on addressing. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and minimizing the costs associated with obtaining civil status documents, the reforms aspire to foster a more inclusive environment, particularly for vulnerable populations such as forcibly displaced individuals.
Moreover, the bill adopts a stringent stance against corruption by criminalizing extortion and bribery in the issuance of civil registration certificates. This measure reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that civil status documents, which are meant to be free of charge, are accessible to all citizens without the imposition of additional financial burdens.
Claudette Chin
