PPP suggests more consultations on seven-year ID card proposal
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee, on Monday, expressed the party’s concern over the cost of the proposed seven-year expiration period for the validity of national Identification (ID) cards.

Rohee said that consideration must be taken of the ability of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to process every Guyanese in an efficient and timely manner.
According to him, the PPP is of view that more consultations are needed to investigate all angles of this proposal.
“We are of the view that more consultations are needed before a final decision is made on this complex matter in this regard,” he said.
The PPP General Secretary noted that according to the proposal, in the event that the expiration period passes and the ID card is not renewed, ID card holders would automatically be deleted from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRDB).

DISENFRANCHISED
Rohee asserted that, “This will result in many Guyanese, including those living and studying overseas, becoming disenfranchised in the eventuality there be no time for re-registration in order to receive a new card.”
However, Public Relations Officer of GECOM Vishnu Persaud yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that this is only a proposal. He indicated that it is not cemented; it will be examined and revised to consider every contingency.
Persaud indicated that GECOM will be looking at cost effective ways to carry out this exercise. He also indicated that GECOM has the ability and resources to achieve such a project. “GECOM already has the information on the people, therefore it will only need to update every seven years. GECOM is already providing ID cards to citizens free of cost. This will only increase the cost for the materials needed to make the cards,” he said.
He contended that the seven-year expiration period for ID cards will be beneficial since it will allow GECOM to update the individual’s picture and also any change in their personal information over the period.

 

 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.