Chris Finlayson

Wellington, March 17 NZPA - A bill that would prevent any prisoner from voting in a general election has fallen foul of the Bill of Rights Act.

The member's bill was drafted by National Party MP Paul Quinn, who doesn't think a person in prison for just a day should be allowed to vote.

Under current law prisoners serving a sentence of three years or more are disqualified.

Attorney-General Chris Finlayson presented a report on the bill today, saying it appeared to be unjustifiably inconsistent with electoral rights affirmed by the Bill of Rights Act.

He said the effect of Mr Quinn's bill would be a blanket disenfranchisement of convicted persons detained in prison on election day.

The bill also appears to contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which is affirmed in the Bill of Rights Act.

The covenant recognises the right of citizens to vote "without unreasonable restrictions" and says that if the right is suspended it should be proportionate to the offence and sentence.

Mr Quinn's bill is on Parliament's agenda, waiting for a first reading.

Contravention of the Bill of Rights Act does not prevent Parliament from passing legislation.