The Central Electoral Board (JCE) advances in the renewal process of the identity and electoral card, a state project already underway that seeks to modernize this key document for citizenship.
The initiative, which develops after a Legal, technical and economic analysiscontemplate technological and security improvements with direct impact on the identity of the Dominicans and in the protection of the national sovereigntyand according to the agency, it is executed under the highest standards of transparency and integrity.
Legal reasons and deadlines
The current card format, issued in 2014, has a period of validity of ten yearsestablished by law, for what expires in 2024. In compliance with article 20, numeral 12, of the organic law 20-23 of the electoral regime, the Plenary of the JCE It has the power to modify the design, format and content of these documents. Covered in this provision, the institution in due course the renewal process began.
Security against cyber crimes
The JCE argues that the decision also responds to the current challenges in the field of data security and protection.
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The increase in cybercrime, scams, falsifications and identity supplaments requires more robust mechanisms to safeguard the integrity of the document.
“The world 11 years ago is not the same today,” says the organ, referring to the need to respond with technologies that hinder the actions of organized crime and protect the right to privacy.
Obsolete technology and new generation of certificates
The equipment used since 2014 for the issuance of cards have become obsolete and deteriorated, while the technological advances They have checked the tools to falsify documents. This forces to adopt New solutions that guarantee reliability and international standards.
The New ID card will be made of polycarbonate with laser burning, safe chip (with cryptographic circuit), QR code and biometric authentication mechanisms. The chip will storing personal and biometric information, with communication protocols that will prevent unauthorized readings, cloning or manipulations. It will also allow electronic transactions safe and online authentication by digital certificates issued by the JCE.
The objective is to renew the documents of 9,412,353 citizens and legal residents, including 942,795 minors who will fulfill the age of 2025, prioritizing security, efficiency and accessibility both in the country and abroad.
Bidding and Transparency Process
The tender for the acquisition of the new technology has been carried out as an international public tender, in compliance with the purchasing and hiring legislation.
Currently, the process is in the stage prior to the opening of economic offers (on B), which was postponed by a challenge presented by one of the participating consortia. The JCE emphasizes that this resource is normal and does not imply irregularities, and that it will not affect the planned schedule: the preliminary renewal will begin in the last quarter of this year.
Civil Registry purification
Prior to the change of document, the JCE identified 2,990,355 records that require validation. To date, 1,581,323 (52%) have been refined, work that will continue with the reinforcement of the corresponding areas. The process will not be a simple card of ID: Each registry must meet constitutional and legal requirements, guaranteeing the integrity of the electoral roll.
Electoral impact and future projection
The renewal will strengthen the security of information and control of the voter register for the 2027 primary and the 2028 elections. The JCE also projects benefits for the complex electoral process of 2032when seven levels of choice will be unified on a single date.
Strategic investment for democracy
The institution emphasizes that it is not an expense, but an investment in democracy and sovereignty, since the durability and safety of the new document will reduce costs in the medium and long term. The initiative has been socialized with political parties, Executive Power, Congress, Entrepreneurs, Banks, Churches and Media, who, according to the JCE – have expressed their support.
In the words of the agency, “this change places us at the height of international standards, guarantees the protection of citizen identity and strengthens the basis of our democracy for the next decade.”
