Plans to begin issuing the Multi-Purpose Identification Card (MPID) in October this year were discussed at a public consultation exercise at the Portsmouth Credit Union Hall on Thursday July 18, 2013.
In 2012, the Government of Dominica decided to implement National ID Cards which would be used for voting purposes during general elections.
The MPID project is part of a regional sub project among O.E.C.S countries to integrate electronically government systems and services.
The electoral commission is the body responsible for the issuance and administration of the MPID system in Dominica.
Chairman of the Electoral Commission Gerald Burton, during Thursday’s meeting, explained the purpose of the multi-purpose identification card.
“That card is intended to provide one unique means of identification for O.E.C.S citizens. Not everyone has a passport, social security card or a driver’s license and the multi-purpose identification card presents a unique opportunity for all citizens to have a means by which they can be identified but more importantly a means of identification that is authentic, and meets international standards,” Burton explained.
Burton said this move to implement the MPID is in keeping with Government’s decision to issue a national identification card instead of a voter id card.
He went on to state that the Commission had no difficulty in moving forward with Government’s recommendation.
“The Electoral Commission has over a number of years, proposed the introduction of an identification card for use in elections as a means of identifying persons who appear at the polling stations. The law as it is right now gives the power to the Chief Elections officer to utilize some form of identification card as part of that process and so the commission has always taken the position that we ought to go in the direction that most other countries in the Caribbean and indeed in the world have introduced as part of the Electoral process and i.e. a unique identification card,” he noted.
Burton added that the Government of Dominica agreed that the multi-purpose Identification Cards would be used in the voting process during General elections.
“The Government is of the view that rather than issue identification card for only election purposes, a national identification card would serve multiple purposes. The Commission took the view that we had no difficulty with such a card providing that it met the criteria that the commission had identified as being required for purposes of elections,” informed Burton.
He explained that the Government of Dominica agreed that such a system would be managed by the Electoral Commission.
“We have had the opportunity to examine the MPID and the Commission became satisfied that the O.E.C.S proposed MPID met the criteria that we felt was required for the purposes of elections and its is for that reason that we indicated to the Government that we were prepared to utilize the MPID for purposes of election but on the basis that the control and management of such a system would be within the control of the Electoral Commission since the commission is constitutionally mandated to oversee the registration of electors and the conduct of elections in Dominica,” Burton remarked.
He said that while every citizen and resident would be entitled to receive a multi-purpose identification card, not everyone who receives such a card would be entitled to vote.
“It is important that we underscore that the MPID system is separate and apart and is totally independent from the Electoral system. The Electoral Commission in the last year has brought the electoral system in house. A new system has been designed and is located within the Electoral office and that system is totally independent from every other Government system and will be independent from the MPID system,” he noted.
“When once you have been registered on the MPID, if you are also registered as an elector then your registration number of election purposes will be put on that card. If you are not registered as an elector, then you will not have that number on your card. Even if you show up at polling station with your MPID card and your electors number is not on that card you will not be able to vote,” Burton explained.
Meantime Chief Elections Officer Steven Larocque disclosed that the enrollment process is expected to commence in October this year.
“The Commission has taken a decision that the enrollment will start for individuals of voting age, and that will be followed by individuals of ages 5-17 so that we meet the deadline of getting as many persons who are eligible to vote to get their cards,” he said.
“There will be an enrollment section where your biographic, bio-metric, photograph, signature and supporting documents will be captured. Vetting will be done by senior officers at the Registry Department and the issuance of the card will be done at the Electoral Office when all systems are checked and it is deemed that the person can be issued with a card,” explained Larocque.
The Electoral Commission is hoping to have the multi-purpose identification cards issued during an eighteen month period commencing in October 2013.
The card will be valid for ten years.
Skerritt and his DLP Govt has forced the Electoral Commission to accept National ID cards, instead of Voter ID Cards, which is what the Commission recommended specifically years ago.
The Commission wanted Electoral Reforms and to clean up the voters list. They never requested National ID cards. The Commission has lost its independence. Remember who said that is madness the Commission was doing to think of asking for funds to produce Voter ID cards and to clean up the list? The cabal has succeeded in stalling the Commission’s genuine request, for Voter ID cards, to ensure our elections are Free and Fair.
The Cabal has designed their plan. They would listen to no one about Voter ID cards and to clean up the list. Govt. refuse to give the Commission the money it requested to do its work. Control/influence of all institutions in Dominica is the order of the day. How long? Not long. Dominicans will never accept fraudulent elections. Attempts at such plain to see. No elections without electoral reform/Voter ID cards. Put that in your pipes and smoke it. The world is on the side of those who want FREE and Fair elections.
Do you even know how long ago the agreement for the funding of this project was signed? Or more so, do you know how long ago they negotiated the terms of the project even with the other OECS countries? Both answers are before the 2009/2010 OAS report and the Electoral Commission request for funds. Do some research on the internet before you comment.
To vote in a constituency a person must be residing there for the last six month. Would this card prevent persons from voting in constituencies where they should not have been registered. For eg I can’t understand how the hell my father is voting in the cottage constituency. I say no more.
I suppose the cards will have their signature. In this case, if stolen and used by an unauthorized person, prior to using the card, the signature should be checked for authenticity.
You don’t need address or san (although address is included in a British drivers licence…)
All you need is:
Surname
First/Middle names
DATE of BIRTH
Place of Birth
Nationality
Expiry date
Validity date
Place of issue/issuing authority (These cards could be issued by the high commissions abroad to Dominicans not resident on the island)
And on the reverse any “Other information” such as restrictions or notices…
Would be interesting to know if we can use this to travel overseas… I could use this in the UK… To travel around the EU at least and as long as it says its my national ID card , they be none the wiser. Not a problem for me as it would say place of birth: United Kingdom
LOL , Dominica? RFID chips in thier ID Card?
They can’t even make an official looking form of identity.
If I was to use that here in the UK (where foreign identity cards can be used as proof) , id be laughed at! My library card looks more official
The card looks FINE!
Critising for critising sake.
Dominica is not the UK!
stupes!
Who ask you to use it? You born in UK stay there and use you superior card.
The only people who should be able to vote should be only people residing in Dominica for at least 5 years and legal citizens born and naturalized that’s all not those people who bought citizenship and passports who have never spent any time in Dominica or have not even been there.
This card is so empty.what does that card presents to any o.e.c.s countries.absolutely nothing.take those card and go share it for vielle case and mahaut people.
All I can say to my fellow Dominicans.. just becareful what you wish for. Lennox as head of UWP? what a joke. Not all that glitters is gold.
Mr Linton you are more a so called political divider than a uniter. On the other hand I do hope you run so you can be in the hot seat getting a taste of your own poisonous medicine that you’ve been dispensing for so long. Just remember one thing..MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN.
Nationality… Dominica??
LOL, people we can do much better than that! *Dominican!
cool
Nothing but an attempt to mess around the electoral process. Nothing else Dominicans.
The Electoral Commission recommended electoral reforms some 8 Years ago. It requested funds from Skerritt’s DLP Govt. to implement those Reforms. Funds would be needed to produce VOTER ID CARDS and to CLEAN UP the VOTERS” LIST. The list is bloated with names of dead people and those not eligible to vote.
The Commission pleaded for reforms, for funds to do its work to ensure elections are FREE and FAIR. The opposition protested. Dominicans expressed concerns about the political influencing and pressures on the Commission. Utter disrespect for the body mandated by our Constitution to conduct elections. It is supposed to be “Independent” of the Commission.
Now, that Chief Elections Officer comes parroting the nonsense about OECS National ID card. How comes Grenada, in the OECs, has Voter ID cards implemented?
Why should you all attempt to interfere in the election process and having the people skeptical about Kokomakak? Elections will not be free and fair without serious Electoral Reform. Voter ID cards are specific for voting and cleaning the “dirty” list and could also be used as an ID card. Election Observers from OAS and CARICOM also recommended specifically Voter ID cards and cleaning up of the Voters’ List.
Who has the right to ask for Voter ID cards? The Electoral Commission. Why?
Who does not want Voter ID cards? Skerritt and his DLP Govt.
Who influenced the Commission to produce NID? You? Me? Why? The trends are frightening and dangerous. Institutions are being bulldozed.
Whose fools are we. Dominicans smell a big rat. The Cabal just cannot afford to lose power. Not with all those truths about corruption hanging on some people heads.
any one who find this should be tied wit politics is just dom how do y’all so cut up in politics the country will Nevada move toward
The chairman knows well that it is impractical to start printing cards before cleaning the voters list. When people fail to do their work properly and the next government replace them they crying political victimisation. If I were a leader of a country I would have more faith in an individual who stands his ground and does his job without fair or favour, than one who gives in to the dictates of a government, right or wrong.
Why an OEC S card and not a National ID card. What does the OECS have to do with our voting. I live of Dominica and is National ID card we used. I don’t have a problem with the Social Security No. being there but there need to have more back ground features to prevent Identity theft.
writing multi-purpose on the card makes it look cheap…
ID cards are normally for multi-purpose ,none the less social security defers in each country, every country have different ways of doing documents…i think it is more prudent to give a card for each purpose because by putting all someone information such as social security number on an ID card makes it easier form criminal to all your personal info.
none the less some people take pleasure in talking crap on their comments ;such as, why it is a haitain picture on the card….this is just an example of the ID card which is shown above so we could have seen a picture of a japanese ,none the less whether it is a haitian or a japanese picture they could also have dominican citizenship…
we must read a lot ,listen to documentaries and our level of comprehension will get higher because to many of use can’t understand what we read…
Most countries have ID cards. What is the big deal Dominicans? I don’t get it. The card looks fit for purpose. Is that not end of?
Congratulations Dominicans! You now have an ID Card. Well, you are progressing. It is a step in the right direction. Times do change. Be proud of your new ID Card and keep them safe and secure.
In these times an ID Card is necessary. If per chance the police stops a national or a resident, the first thing which is requested, “Show me your ID” as is done in the case of drivers for their vehicle license.
Those who are not nationals or residents will have to produce their passport; a good way of catching some who are illegal in the country.
The government issues free ID’s. I expect when renewed, nationals will pay for the cost of renewal. Otherwise it will cost the government an exorbitant sum to renew those ID cards free of charge.
I don’t want it…i not voting, and my passport is enough…
lennox, lets put a tony(injunction) on de national id cards and de electoal commission.. dem people to bad
mister looking like a haitian that does work in my garden..
i doh want dat. if it doh have voters id i not voting
This looks like a Green Card. I hope this is NOT this person’s real identity.
But if I have a passport what I’m I doing with that? They ask for a voter ID all you coming with all kind of crap. I have enough ID cards in my damn wallet, I do not need this shit. It would be so much cheaper and to the point if the card was issued solely for voting purposes, because if I had six children I would go and get for all 6 of them, babies or not. If is money the government has to waste let’s see.
I just find this is ridiculous and Labour party could not ask for a better puppet at the electoral commission.
This labour party trying all kind of strategy to make things shadey and confusing but I suspect something serious will happen in this country if Labour party messes with this upcoming election.
Enough is enough
I glad it good for them people that don’t live in da but like to run hom e and vote and run back up
Only real issue for me is that it does not have the address of residence. If it does not have that then it is lacking a vital piece of information for both travel and electoral purposes
why is there no biometric info on this card, (height, weight, eye color ect.) i know all black people look alike but we have other ethic minorities in DMA now…
Which entity will issue these cards? Who will be responsible for issuing these cards? Constitutionally it cannot be the Electoral Commission.
honestly they could of done a much better job with those id cards they look plain and boring… compared to other id cards…. for example why not have a background showcasing Dominica’s beauty hmmmmmmmm
its a sample
Thinking this is just a sample and the real thing is much different?
You realize that same card going to be issued in the other OECS countries as well right? You just cannot please everybody.
Maybe they followed the requirements of the OECS standards for all the cards they issue under the name…”Genius”
You mean like the driver’s licence that I have, that when photocopied as the id I presented while performing a task was illegible. It is all well and good to think like that but we have to be practical. I have seen those from Grenada and I must say that ours seem more readable.
If is a Dominican National Identity card, why is a Haitian picture they have on it?
What make you think it is a HAITIAN?
how are you so sure he’s a haitian ?
Because is they that will be enjoying de bulk of these cards. Dominica has about 60,000 people yet the govt will print 100,000 cards for the 1st run. So u can figure out the maths.
Maybe Dominicans don’t want to put their face on that coshawknee.
It is a Canadian. Haven’t you been following the news. A Canadian company that doing this system.
Seriously the thought crossed my mind
I guess he is a national now!
Where ignorance bliss, it is folly to be wise. Why does it matter which picture is on the sample? Each card must have the owner’s picture. So, your picture will be on your card.
that’s too much trouble to prepare for a simple election.
Voter’s registration cards in America do not have anyone’s picture on it.
elections are not simple . where are you living ?
O E C S have nothing to do with Dominicans voting I D card, secondly the constitution makes provision for voters I D card, and not O E C S, I D card, the constution is the rules set and agreed upon for every government to run the country by why do we want to change the rules, the chairman of the electoral commission simply do not worth sitting in that chair, he cannot agree to use any other card that is not supported by the constitution.
Challenge it.
Quote the section of the constitution that specifies ‘Voter ID Cards”… You just a foolish follower, there is no excuse for your stupidity!!!!! We are living in a world where information is readily available so READ boss READ!!!
Registration of Electors Act Chapter 2:03, Section 19
“The Chief Registering Officer may cause identification cards containing prescribed information to be issued in accordance with the Regulations, or may employ other suitable methods of preventing electors from voting more than once in the same election.”
But if that is the case what is all this talk about? The Chief Elections Officer MAY cause ID cards to be used…that means they don’t even have to issue cards according to the law. And they (Electoral Commission) can set any Regulations according to the laws…so what is this talk about? The way I see it, they doing even more than they have to in order to clear up this voting “story” in Dominica.
People really need to read this article properly to see how truly free Dominica really is. You mean to tell me the Electoral Commission only accepted this card after they were satisfied it met all their requirements? That speaks well for that office. Wish some other countries was as free as this.
Need to think things out a little before writing.
Why are people making a big deal about social security number??? Stuppes!! We are not in the US where their systems are very impersonal.
There is no way people can steal your identity in Dominica just because they have your social security number… To withdraw your own money from your bank account, to cash a cheque you have to bring sometimes 2 types of ID so just quit that nonsensene…. Stuppes!!
Go to the social security office on your own business and see what kind of treatment you will get… much less to get informationon behalf of someone else…
As for me somebody free to go and make DSS deposits in my name – and tell them to leave my salary alone…
A person’s Driver’s License is their identification card. If you do not have an account in a bank they ask for TWO forms of ID, I present my DL along with anything w my name on it. The only INTERNATIONAL ID I think a person need is a PASSPORT. Let us say for argument sake, individuals will no longer need TWO forms of ID to cash a check if they possess that International ID Card?