The government has sounded a warning to marriage officers about committing malpractices such as the issuance of licences to females under the age of 16.
In that light the Ministry of Home Affairs and the General Register Office (GRO) will be working on measures to address the issue of misconduct by some marriage officers through the provisions of the Marriage Act, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported yesterday.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee yesterday during an address to over 200 marriage officers at a conference hosted by the GRO at the Police Sports Hall, Eve Leary, urged them to operate within the law when issuing marriage licences or face the consequences.
GINA quoted Minister Rohee as saying, “What I do find however, is that there appears to be no end to the malpractice performed by some marriage officers. For example, I was made to understand that dates are changed on marriage registration forms. This is illegal and has dire consequences for persons who perpetrate such acts.”
The Marriage Act deals with the legal and religious aspects of marriage and makes the necessary provisions thereto.
GINA noted that in relation to the legal aspects, Section 4 (1) stipulates that the Minister of Home Affairs may appoint any fit and proper person to be a marriage officer of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim religion.
The minister also has the full power under Section 11 of the Act, on good cause shown, to revoke the appointment of an officer if he/she fails to adhere to the requirements.
Rohee expressed concern over the instances where marriage officers issue licences to females under the age of 16 years which is against the law since the new age of consent is 16 and over.
“Prior to this amendment the age of consent was thirteen years. There would be the need, therefore, for an amendment to be made to the Marriage Act in keeping with the new age of consent. I intend to pursue this matter with the Attorney General,” Rohee said.
