National Civil Registration Act.pdf

Key Provisions:

1. Establishment of National Civil Registration Authority: A body corporate with perpetual succession, capable of acquiring and disposing of property.
2. Objects of Authority: To provide for compulsory registration of citizens and non-citizens, issuance of identity cards, and registration of births, adoptions, deaths, marriages, divorces, and nullities.
3. Functions of Authority: To maintain a civil register, collect and analyze vital statistics, and provide information to inform policy decisions.
4. Registration of Vital Events: Births, deaths, marriages, adoptions, divorces, and nullities must be registered with the Authority.
5. National Identification Number: A unique identifier issued to every citizen and resident in Sierra Leone.
6. Personal Registration File: A file maintained by the Authority containing information on an individual's vital events.
7. Integrated National Civil Registration System: An automated system for recording and managing vital events data.
8. Data Protection: The Authority must protect the confidentiality and security of registered information.

Administrative Provisions:

1. Director-General: Appointed by the President to oversee the Authority.
2. Board of Authority: Consists of a Chairman and members, including the Statistician-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Internal Affairs.
3. Meetings and Decision-Making: The Board shall meet regularly to make decisions on the Authority's operations.

Financial Provisions:

1. Funds of Authority: The Authority shall have its own funds, including appropriations from Parliament and fees for services.
2. Accounts and Audit: The Authority's accounts shall be audited annually by the Auditor-General.

Offences and Penalties:

1. Failure to Register Vital Events: An offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
2. Unauthorized Disclosure of Information: An offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.

Miscellaneous Provisions:

1. Appeals: Against decisions of the Authority may be made to the Minister or the courts.
2. Regulations: The Minister may make regulations to implement the Act.