NIDS won’t be used for next general election, says NIRA
Published:Thursday | March 6, 2025 | 12:06 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Despite ongoing efforts to get the National Identification System (NIDS) fully operational as soon as possible, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, chairman of the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), says NIDS will not be used as a means of identification in the upcoming general election, which is constitutionally due by September.
Pitkin, who is also the custos of St James, made the announcement during a recent sensitisation session for justices of the peace in Westmoreland.
“Can you use your card to vote? Not now. What it does is give you access to businesses in the private sector and the public sector much more easily than you used to have,” explained Pitkin, who chairs the nine-member NIRA.
“Will you be able to drive with the card? Not now. We don’t know what will happen later, but there are a lot of discussions going on.”
The National Identification Card (NIC), which falls under NIDS, is steadily becoming a reality as registration is now taking place at the Central Sorting Office in Kingston.
According to Pitkin, while the NIC won’t be used for voting or as a driver’s licence, it will significantly simplify access to services in both the private and public sectors.
The NIC is designed to provide a secure, reliable, and unique method of authenticating an individual’s identity.
Currently, Jamaicans use their electoral identification cards to cast their votes in both the local government and general elections. This card is widely accepted as a means of identification.
According to Pitkin, Jamaicans will soon be able to register for their NIC, using various service centres across the island. However, he said that there is currently only one centre collecting data, which is the CSO on South Camp Road.
“There will be 24 centres across Jamaica, including the Central Sorting House, so there are 23 more to be established, and they are at different stages of being established as we speak,” said Pitkin.
Pitkin said the additional service points will boost the number of service points from what currently exists with the number of offices the Registrar General’s Department now operates across the country.
“This means people will no longer need to travel long distances for these services. They will be accessible in your parish, and some parishes will have up to three service centres where you can apply,” added Pitkin.