All Tanzanians to be provided with Identification Numbers by December 31,2016

THE National Identification Authority (NIDA) said yesterday that by December 31, this year, all Tanzanians who registered in the National Electoral Commission (NEC) voters' register will be provided with identification numbers.

NIDA Public Relations Officer, Ms Rose Mdami, told the 'Sunday News' during the ongoing Nanenane exhibition at Ngongo grounds in Lindi municipality that people will be given identification numbers, which will be used interchangeably with National Identity cards.

"All Tanzanians who were registered in NEC voters' register will be given identification number by NIDA.

Such number will allow them to get some of the services as arrangements for full registration are going on," she said.

She said those who were registered by NEC filled 34 areas that needed information from the applicant but with National Identity, the applicant is required to fill information in 72 areas.

"Therefore for a person to get a national identification card, he/she will be required to fill his/her information to 72 areas on his/her forms," she said.

She said NIDA has already taken the NEC database, which will be used in issuing identification numbers to those who registered in the voters' registration book.

Last year, NEC announced that at least 22.7 million people registered in the voters' registration book. According to NIDA, so far 6.5 people have registered and only 2.7 have already received national identification cards.