The Ombudsman’s Office expressed his deep concern given the recent enablement of the virtual platform of the National Registry of Identification and Civil Status (RENIEC)which allows the public consultation of the initial register of able citizens for the General Elections 2026.
According to the institution, the RENIEC system displays sensitive personal informationincluding home addresses, fingerprints and identification photographswhich would violate the Law No. 29733, Personal Data Protection Lawwhich guarantees the reservation and security of this type of information.
Risks to public safety
The Ombudsman recalled that the Organic Law of Elections (Law No. 26859) allows the publication of information for citizen oversight purposes; However, article 203, modified by the Law No. 32264 In March 2025, it incorporated the inclusion of home and fingerprint data, which—according to the agency—is contrary to the principle of protection of personal dataespecially in the current context of insecurity and organized crime.
Likewise, he recalled that, at the request of RENIEC itself, the General Directorate of Transparency and Protection of Personal Data of the Ministry of Justice had already determined that, although the electoral roll is public, Address and fingerprint data must be kept restricted.
Exhortation to RENIEC and JNE
Given this situation, the Ombudsman urged RENIEC to implement urgently protection and access restriction mechanismslimiting the display of addresses and other personal data on the platform.
“The right to protection of personal data, recognized in article 2, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, must be guaranteed at all times,” the entity stressed.
Likewise, he asked the National Election Jury (JNE) —as governing body of the electoral system— supervise the actions of the electoral bodies to avoid the exposure of sensitive information that could be used in criminal acts or extortion.
Finally, the Ombudsman urged both institutions to coordinate immediate measures that guarantee the security and confidentiality of citizen dataspecifying that the protection of personal information “It is not an obstacle, but an essential condition for free, secure and reliable elections”.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Ombudsman’s Office report?
That the RENIEC electoral registry exposes sensitive personal data such as addresses and fingerprints.
What laws would be violated?
The Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 29733) and the constitutional principle of confidentiality.
Why is this situation serious?
Because it exposes citizens to security risks and misuse of personal information.
What does the Ombudsman’s Office ask of RENIEC?
Implement data restriction and protection mechanisms on your platform.
What role should the JNE play?
Supervise that electoral bodies comply with data protection in the electoral process.
