Actual production of national ID cards is scheduled to commence on Monday and distribution will begin soon after, the Guyana Elections Com-mission (GECOM) ann-ounced yesterday.
The installation of software and hardware for the production of national identification cards for all persons registered during the 2008 House-to-House Registration exercise began on Monday.
The installation works are progressing satisfactorily, the GECOM release stated, and trial runs for the production of ID cards, including quality control checks, is scheduled to be done by the end of this week.
This assurance was given by Project Coordinator for the ID card project, David Cummings, during a courtesy call he and De La Rue’s team leader for the project, David Colgan paid on GECOM members on Tuesday. The installation is being conducted by Colgan, and De La Rue IT technician Pedro Granados.
GECOM contracted De La Rue to supply the teslin (base material), hardware, software and consumables associated with the production of national identification cards for all persons registered during the 2008 House-to-House Registration exercise.
The work includes the installation of the hardware and software and ensuring that the newly-installed ID production system works without fault. It also involves putting in security features consisting of the use of an “Optically Variable Ink (OVI), for the production of the ID cards and with additional features that will not be visible to the bare eyes, nor detected without the use of appropriate technology.
GECOM has identified key personnel, who are working alongside the De La Rue technicians, to ensure that there is institutional capacity and memory to perpetually operate the ID production system. Meanwhile, GECOM has already taken steps to establish ID cards distribution centres countrywide and appoint temporary staff to be involved in the production and distribution of ID cards.
The ongoing work associated with the production and distribution of ID cards is in compliance with the schedules outlined in the GECOM Microsoft Project Plan for the conduct of Local Government Elections, the release concluded.
