Pastor supports name change policy review

Leone Tagicakibau has voiced his support for the review of the name change policy. The Assemblies of God pastor was one of three men who participated in the public consultation held at the Civic Centre in Nadi yesterday.

The participants were invited to provide their input on the Electoral (Registration of Voters) Act 2012 (Act 40 of 2021) and the Interpretation Act 1967.

Mr Tagicakibau suggested that using a spouse’s name without changing one’s birth certificate should be considered.

“Biblically, when a woman marries a man, matrimonially they are legally husband and wife. There is no need to change the name on the birth certificate just like that,” he said.

“They don’t have to use their husband’s name. That is why I fully support repealing this bill. They can use their names as their husband’s name is there, rather than changing the whole name on the birth certificate.”

Sala Marseu, a former Fiji Airways flight attendant, questioned why she had to add her husband’s surname to her birth certificate when she wasn’t born into their family. “My passport and marriage certificate state my spouse’s surname. Since I got married, my work and all my legal documents concerning my property are under my spouse’s name,” she said.

“I wanted to ask why I had to add my husband’s name to my birth certificate when I wasn’t even born into their family. For me as an iTaukei, when a child is born, they are registered in the Vola ni Kawa Bula (VKB) with their mataqali, yavusa, koro, but my husband’s name doesn’t appear on my yavusa and koro.”

Mereseini Baleilevuka, who was a candidate of the The People Alliance party during the 2022 General Election, said the change of names affected most women candidates and women voters.

“When my birth certificate came out, I saw my husband’s surname there, and one of my names was removed because they thought it was my surname. I felt so sad about it.”