Afghanistan continues to see delays in launching electronic identification cards that was planned some five years ago.
19 August was set by the ministerial council for the issuance of the cards to begin; however, President Ashraf Ghani ruled it out for some other day.
However, unlike expectations, the president failed to set to a particular even as he chaired regular cabinet meeting last Thursday.
In a statement earlier, Ghani said the process of distribution of e-ID cards would begin in ‘coming days’, but rejected August 19 citing it would mar arrangements for independence celebration.
The wallet-size identification cards are widely expected to aid fairer, more transparent and efficient future elections as well as help security.
“This shows that the president is not enjoying freedom,” said Muhammad Naeem Nazari, head of civil society group. “He is heeding to those around him and not to laws.”
The causes that have delayed launch of e-ID cards are apparently not technical but rather political. The issue whether to include “Nationality: Afghan” in the card has yet to be settled.
Humayoun Muhtat, head of e-ID cards office, earlier said that the e-ID cards would be launched next week and that an exact date would be set in cabinet meeting. But that didn’t happen.
The delay in launch of $100 million e-ID system has already prompted some donors to halt payments to the office.
