Case Study on: Implementation Cent Percent of Computerized ID Cards in Afghanistan

How to convert manual ID cards to computerized national identity of the people of Afghanistan.

Ministry of Communication & Information Technology

Authors:Roohul Amin Mashwani & Faisal Raza Khalil

October 22, 2014

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1. Abstract:

The development of e-ID (e-TAZKIRA) card in Afghanistan has improved to a higher level (Ministry of Telecommunication & Information Technology-Afghanistan) of e-government application in the local area. The research problems of this study are; firstly, it was related to the concept of the manual ID cards (TAZKIRA) and its drawbacks in social and service sectors; and secondly, it was related to the influence factors of the e-ID card program implementation in the efforts of service quality improvement. The research data and information were collected by an intensive observation, in depth interview, and documentation. The research was also analyzed by the qualitative approach and discussed by the evaluation concept as a grand theory of analysis. The research results were derived from the research problems that concluded two main analysis results; firstly, Department of Population and Civil Registration used the Information and Technology (IT) based governance that has led to the implementation of e-service. Secondly, the restraining factors also relate to the external and internal factors, such as; infrastructures, organizational structures, skill of the employees, and program socialization. The external factor came up from the low awareness and interest of community.

Keywords: Public Service Quality, e-Government, e-Service, Evaluation, TAZKIRA

2. Background

This case study is regarding the 100% implementation process and challenges in converting the traditional TAZKIRA system to electronic TAZKIRA (e-ID). National ID cards and birth certificates are very important to establish the identity of people and their enjoyment of citizenship privileges. This align with constitution of Islamic republic of Afghanistan, as the government is obliged to provide every Afghan with appropriate identification documents which can serve as the national identity papers without the doubts of authenticity.With the prevailing security and socio economic situation there is a dire need for national identification system which cannot be forged, stealth and portray the true national and demographic state of the country. This identification system addresses all of the issues prevailing in the current system and also enable the government institutions to gather on‐time data on security, social and economic issues; it should be supported by such technologies that make it possible for the civil servants to provide best and feasible solutions to the problems in hand. The current development in the telecommunications sector of Afghanistan will provide the best infrastructure for such a huge nationally important project.The Independent Election Commission (IEC), the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) are the key stack holders in this regard. The population administration become important thing because always contacts with each human activities in Afghanistan. For example, it will be used during legislative election, presidential election, local election, and for vehicles administration, land administration, and other. If we are domiciled at certain area, we should have the domicile card that is proven by the Identity Card (ID).

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The e-ID card program is based on the conventional ID making system in that make possible for someone to have more than one ID. It is caused by no integrated data base that collects population data from all Afghanistan. The facts give opportunities for someone to do fraudulent in certain case by doubling his ID. For example can be used to avoid tax, hide identity (such as terrorist) and falsify and double the ID.Countries currently issuing government-issued EICs include Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Slovakia. and Mauritius. Countries currently accepting bank-issued EICs for identification towards authorities (also known as Bankid) include Norway and Sweden.

3. Problems/ChallengesDoing any progressive work for the nation and multicultural population is definitely a hard work. Many challenges can come in your way. The conventional system of TAZKIRA is still exists, and many people are having conventional ids. It is quite difficult to convey the message among those who don’t understand the importance of electronic TAZKIRA. MCIT signed National ID Project with GTR (Grand Technology Resources)- On December 12, 2010 Ministry of Communication and IT, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance officially announced the start of the Electronic Tazkira (NID) project.  MCIT faced many challenges and still 100 percent it is not implemented in the region. Apart from some burning issues for the new government, implementation of e-ID cards is quite challenging job for the new government too.

The challenges that I gather are given below:Huge BudgetPrimary Data CollectionVisit to War Effected Provinces (Security Threats)Need for Expertise The root causes for this problem are:Disperse nation because of 30 years of warLow level of technology people and expertsUnavailability of financial resourcesMCIT weak infrastructure etc.

4. Actions (Student Based Activity)In the light of above information-problems & challenges, what will be the numerous stages to convert manual ID cards system into e-id cards system? Please suggest and brainstorm different techniques and ideas.

5. ConclusionSo as we discussed above the importance of National Electronic ID cards. It can be useable in e-Governance, e-Services, Election, Electronic Banking System and Population Records, etc. Many people don’t poll their votes and agreements to the elected people. If a person is not having e-ID how he/she can prove themselves as a true citizen. There are some questions regarding the scenario given below:

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5.1 Questions:

1. What should be the role of new government in implementing e-ID cards 100 percent in the region?

2. What do you suggest to implement e-ID 100 percent in the region?3. Describe the importance of e-ID?4. Explain the agreement process between MCIT and GTR?5. What are the software tools needed to design, code, test, debug and

implement e-ID cards system?6. List out all hardware needed for data storage and database backend.7. How to overcome the challenges and problems as mentioned above?8. What will be the benefit to a e-ID card holders?9. Discuss the drawbacks of traditional ID (TAZKIRA) cards?

6. Exhibits:

References: http://mcit.gov.af/en/page/7081http://mcit.gov.af/en/news/273 Ministry of Communication and information Technology (MCIT) is in the process of

implementing electronic National Identification documents. (pdf)Afghan Ministry of Interior (MoI) Advisor Guide (pdf)http://www.wiki.com

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