‘Smart’ ID pilot project rolls out in 4 test areas

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‘Smart’ ID pilot project rolls out in 4 test areas

Myanmar Times, 13 Jan 2017

URL: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/24538-smart-id-pilot-project-rolls-out-in-4-test-areas.html
A pilot project to be launched in some states and regions will be another step toward replacing paper ID documents with an electronic card, officials say. U Myint Kyaing, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, told The Myanmar Times on January 11 that the pilot would help identify the practical difficulties of the scheme.

The ministry will submit the results of the trial to the government for further review, he said.

“This is a pilot project, to be conducted in some states and regions. Nobody will be issued with a new electronic card. We’ve been looking into the problems involved in scanning eyes and fingerprints in different locations,” he said.

The eventual aim would be to issue citizens electronic cards to replace the current identity documents with a more secure and durable instrument.
Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay and Yangon regions, and Rakhine State, particularly Sittwe, Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, were selected for the pilot scheme. Because of the issues expected to arise in implementation, no date has been set for the completion of the exercise.

Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, unrolled the trial on January 9.

According to the state’s immigration department, residents in the pilot areas are being asked to present their household list and NRC cards. People who have lost those documents can fill out a 16-point personal questionnaire. Immigration officers will take down every person’s personal data, finger print, photograph and eye scan.

The modalities of any future changeover from paper cards to a digital system would be considered by the government. At that time, an invitation to tender would be issued. Foreign tech companies are already said to be advising the ministry on the course of the pilot project, which is being supported by the World Bank, the International Organization for Migration and some private companies.