§ Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what cases the electoral cards to be shown by voters for the Legislative Council in Mauritius are required to bear photographs of the elector concerned; and in which other Colonial Territories this system is in operation.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydUnder Section 40 of the Representation of the People Ordinance, 1958, all voters in Mauritius are required to have an electoral card which bears a photograph of the voter concerned. The cost of the photograph will be borne by Government. Exemptions to this rule may be made by the registration officer on valid religious or social grounds, in which case a thumb print or finger print is required instead of a photograph. So far as I am aware no other Colonial Territory operates an exactly similar system, though voters' cards are used in certain other territories. I am at present in consultation with the Governor about this provision.