Smart IDs to be used in local elections — interior minister

AMMAN — The government is planning to use smart ID cards in the governorate council and municipal elections slated for August 15, Interior Minister Ghaleb Zu’bi said on Sunday.

Governorate councils will be elected for a four-year term to oversee strategic plans, budgets, infrastructure and service projects in their respective areas. 

The Cabinet holds the power to dismantle elected councils and call for new elections, or postpone elections.

Zu’bi called on employees of ministries and public departments and their families to obtain smart IDs, which will improve services to citizens and guarantee that support reaches beneficiaries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

To date, some 416,000 citizens have obtained smart IDs, a number described by officials last week as below expectations, in light of there being 26 Civil Status and Passports Department offices which can issue these cards.

The Cabinet urged all citizens to have the cards issued, saying they will help facilitate receipt of services, especially since smart cards include citizens’ personal information, photos and fingerprints.

The minister called on all governors and administrative officials to cooperate with local community institutions to raise citizens’ awareness of the importance of obtaining smart ID cards as soon as possible.