DNR cautions ID changes now may result in inability to vote in parliamentary elections

Department of National Registration (DNR) said on Thursday that Maldivians whose information has changed will be allowed to renew their ID cards from Sunday onwards only if they agree they will not object to not being able to vote in the upcoming parliament elections.

Regarding the announcement made by Election Commission (EC), DNR said since EC has to finalise the voter list, ID card applications have to be submitted before 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 21.

However, if a citizen’s information has changed, ID cards can be renewed from then onwards only if they agree they will not object to not being allowed to vote in the upcoming election.

“We are informing everyone that following the parliamentary elections, people above the age of 18 years will be able to submit changes to the National Identity Card as usual once again,” DNR said.

EC has announced the details of people that are allowed to vote in the primary election on January 10.

Complaints regarding the list can be submitted until January 21.