Labour attacks delay on ID cards
The Labour Party has slammed the Government for spending the last five years “dragging its feet” on the ID card renewal process.
A spokesman for the party said new ID cards would help create a “healthy and correct” electoral register since the renewal of an identity card required physical presence on the island. The Times last week reported that the Government had “intentionally delayed” the renewal process until after the election to decouple the two events.
The issue of ID cards was revived recently after the Government said it was willing to start immediate discussions with the Opposition to update a controversial law that restricts voting rights to people who have lived in Malta for six of the past 18 months.
The law, which is being enforced by Labour, could leave those who study or work abroad for such a period of time without a vote.
Labour has said it would discuss a change in legislation but this could only happen after a nationwide ID card renewal was completed. Godwin Grima, who is responsible for the implementation of the new ID cards, denied this initiative had anything to do with the electoral process.
He said the delay was intentionally being made to “decouple” the two events and would also give the Government more time to make the best use of the new high-tech cards which could be used as an “e-wallet”. The new cards would include a chip that could be used to access anything from health records to banking information and electronic tickets, such as for public transport.
Dr Grima also said there would be no electoral consequences as a result of expired ID cards and that he had already briefed the Electoral Commission about the issue.
But Labour reacted by saying ID cards and the ele-toral process were “intrin-sically related”.
“If it weren’t so, why inform the Electoral Commission?”
Although voters used their voting documents at polling booths rather than their ID cards, the Labour spokesman pointed out that when a person was not identifiable through their voting document, their ID card was referred to.
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pat muscat
Nov 12th 2012, 14:39
So is the' intentionally delayed' outdated ID cards the reason why GonziPN is protesting against striking off non valid voters from the electoral register? How can one reconcile who is eligible to vote or not , with intentionally delayed and outdated ID cards? The 'holier and thou' GonziPN should know better!
Michael Magri
Nov 12th 2012, 14:30
Dr Grima... ".said there would be no electoral consequences as a result of expired ID cards ..."
IF that is TRULY the case Dr Grima, then what the heck was the REAL REASON for NOT renewing the I.D. Cards IN TIME...!!!!!!!!! Intransigence..!! Not doing your job properly..!! Took an `i don`t care` attitude..!! OR........WHAT.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TELL US PLEASE, WILL YOU...!!!!!!!
william cauchi
Nov 12th 2012, 13:50
The new cards . ........health records, good.........electronic tickets, good,.............public transport, good........... banking information ...........mataraxx.
M Borg
Nov 12th 2012, 16:27
Unless we can choose what is shown on the new ID cards, I for one will not renew it.
What have my bank accounts got to do with my ID card ?
Eric Soames
Nov 12th 2012, 12:20
Smells, no, stinks, of voter suppression! A favorite Republican Party tactic.
Steve Caruana
Nov 12th 2012, 12:13
I am extremely worried about the new micro chip in the new ID Card. This is way over the top big brother syndrome.
David Bezzina
Nov 12th 2012, 11:42
It might look like incompetence but I suspect that the identity cards have not been renewed for a very good reason.
Saviour Cachia
Nov 12th 2012, 11:39
So much money was wasted on futile projects, why cannot we have a general election above suspicion. Renew the identity card in their present form, and then take your time. and obviously our approval, to issue another one with sensitive personal information. It is only common sense. There is still enough time until March.
victor bonello
Nov 12th 2012, 10:58
one other point is that votes "should " be handed over on presentation of the ID card.
As always another shady maneuver by the PN.
P Sciberras
Nov 12th 2012, 10:54
I ask again, what is the excuse for not replacing a ( 5 years expired Telephone Directory) with an updated one.Obviously, it will be renewed after the next election with renewed ID Cards.
Please choose the reason of your report below: