Over 100 ID cards were issued by CRIM yesterday

August 30, 2024 4:05 am | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Sabrina Tabi.

More than 100 National Identification (ID) cards were issued for free by the Civil Registration and Identity Management Department (CRIM) yesterday at the Convention Centre in Port Vila.

The main aim of this initiative is to provide an opportunity for those who did not obtain an ID card when CRIM officers were conducting field operations to finally get one.

Another reason CRIM is currently providing this service for free is to ensure that everyone has an ID card to enable them to exercise their voting rights in future elections.

As explained by CRIM’s Senior Registrar of Identity Management, Mr. Jack Micke Edwards, “In the recent national referendum, everyone was required to vote using their ID cards; however, many people did not vote because they did not have one.”

Mr. Edwards further emphasised the importance of owning a National ID card, stating that it is not only crucial for voting eligibility but also important for other purposes such as bank transactions and making travel arrangements domestically and internationally.

Although the primary goal was to issue ID cards to those who had never possessed one before, Mr. Edwards revealed that most of the cards issued yesterday were reprints of damaged ones. In an interview with the Vanuatu Daily Post, he said this reflects how careless people can be.

“Just because you have been given an opportunity to get it for free, or you might think that obtaining another one is not that expensive, doesn’t mean you should be careless with it,” he added.

The Senior Registrar urged the public to keep their ID cards in good condition and to treat them as important documents.

Outlining the process for obtaining an ID card, Mr. Edwards explained that there is a booth outside the Convention Centre where one can collect an application form for ID issuance and have their ID picture taken.

Once the form is completed and the picture is taken, it is sent to the officers stationed inside the Convention Centre who handle the printing.

He stressed that this is a good opportunity as the service is not only free but also less time-consuming.

CRIM will be at their booth again today for the final day of the Public Service celebration and encourages those who currently do not have an ID card to go and get one.