KIGALI - Long queues characterized yesterday’s new national electronic identity card registration through out the country. Thousands of people thronged registration centres as early as 7am yesterday, however by press time the biggest percentage had not been registered. For the registration centres The New Times team visited, many people were fighting in their queues each trying to be registered first. Some of the noticeable hitches included process by registration clerks who were taking too much time to discard people’s particulars.
KIGALI - Long queues characterized yesterday’s new national electronic identity card registration through out the country. Thousands of people thronged registration centres as early as 7am yesterday, however by press time the biggest percentage had not been registered. For the registration centres The New Times team visited, many people were fighting in their queues each trying to be registered first. Some of the noticeable hitches included process by registration clerks who were taking too much time to discard people’s particulars.
Commenting on the long queues and possible deadline extension, Local Government Minister Protais Musoni explained the process was slowed down due to laxity the clerks since the government had even doubled the man power in order to beat the two day registration exercise.
When asked whether the government would consider extending the deadline in order to accommodate those who would have missed the registration, Musoni said the cabinet has the last word over the matter.
"Extending the registration exercise is a prime minister and the cabinet’s decision to make. But it’s important that all people get registered,” Musoni said by phone.
Musoni said that people who lost their identification papers and could not manage to register within two days shall register at their respective sectors after producing proof from police as citizens of Rwanda.
The minister also clarified that the exercise is free of charge, warning leaders against charging money from people.
"We have communicated to all leaders that they should not charge any amounts of money from any body.”
Minister warned. Business activities in Kigali and its suburbs came to a standstill from morning to late evening due to this registration exercise, while transport for those who preferred to travel up country for the registration became very hard to come by.
The new electronic identity card will be different with the previous one and hard for forge.
They will contain all other personal data. It will also contain driving license, medical insurance cards, Social security fund among others. It shall have a micro chip which will be enabling a computer to give out all the personal data. The cost for the ID is between 500 Rwanda francs to 10000francs.Ends