National Identity Card Services Launched in Gaafu Alif Villingili
The government has introduced National Identity Card services, including the printing of physical cards, in Gaafu Alif Villingili.
This marks the first time the service is available outside the capital city of Malé. A special inauguration ceremony was held in Vilin’gili, attended by Minister of Home Affairs Ali Ihusaan, last Thursday.
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މިނިސްޓަރ ޢަލީ އިޙްސާން ގއ. ވިލިނގިއްޔަށް ކުރައްވާ ޒިޔާރަތުގައި ހުވަދޫ އަތޮޅު ކައުންސިލްއަށްވަނީ މިއަދު ޒިޔާރަތް ކުރައްވާ އަދި މެހްމާނުންގެ ފޮތުގަާ ސޮއި ކުރަށްވާ އެ ދާއިރާގެ މުވައްޒަފުންނާ ބައްދަލުކުރައްވާފަ. pic.twitter.com/VAU1WZaL6I— Ministry of Homeland Security & Technology, MV (@HomeMinistrymv) September 19, 2024
Previously, ID cards could be applied for through Island Councils. In 2022, the process was streamlined, enabling applications through a dedicated portal of the Department of National Registration (DNR), which delivers printed cards to applicants.
Earlier this year, the DNR also announced plans to issue cards without expiry dates for senior citizens over the age of 65.
ID cards issued to individuals aged 10 to 40 are valid for five years, while those issued to individuals over 40 have a ten-year validity period.
Gov’t Plans Nationwide Expansion of ID Card and Passport Services
The Minister of Cities, Local Government, and Public Works, Adam Shareef Umar, has confirmed plans to introduce ID card and passport services across all atolls during the current presidential term. His statement followed the recent launch of ID card services in Villingili, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, marking the first instance of such services being offered outside the capital, Malé.
Minister Shareef underscored that this development is in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to decentralisation, aimed at bringing essential government services closer to the people. The minister remarked that the inauguration of services in Villingili stands as a testament to this goal.
He further highlighted that enabling local councils to manage centralised services, such as ID card and passport issuance, is a key pillar of President Dr. Muizzu’s vision. This expansion is seen as an important step in empowering local councils under the president’s leadership. Minister Shareef reiterated that the nationwide rollout of these services across all atolls would be completed within the current term.
Additionally, the minister noted the strong support from local councils in implementing the president’s decentralisation agenda, with many councils showing significant cooperation in the process.
Minister Shareef concluded by stating that the successful collaboration between the government and local councils reflects a conducive environment for multi-party democracy in the Maldives, with both entities working together to improve service delivery throughout the nation.
