Voters without e-NICs to receive special document due to shortage in cards

A special document will be issued to election voters who have not received their e-National Identity Card (NIC)’s due to a shortage, a senior government official said.

"We will issue a letter printed on a security paper confirming their particulars. Some 300,000 people will receive it," Commissioner General at the Department for Registration of Persons Viyani Gunathilaka told Times Online.

He explained that the Department will submit these letters to the Election Commission by the end of this week, following which it would be delivered to the people through their Grama Niladhari offices.

Mr. Gunathilaka said that this letter would be issued in addition to the Special Identity Card given to voters who have not received their NIC’s yet.

The shortage in cards to print NIC’s will also see similar letters being issued to some 50,000 candidates attempting this year’s G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination.

However, the Department chief said he believes that the NIC’s would be sent by post to the candidates before the exam begins on December 2, as the stock of cards have now begun arriving.

“We will give priority to ensure that the NIC’s are sent to the candidates immediately,” the Commissioner General emphasised. 

The government introduced e-NIC's in 2017, replacing the 'laminated type' NIC cards issued to Sri Lankan citizens.

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