KABUL (SW): The process of distributing electronic National Identity Card or “eNIC” was formally launched today by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. However, Abdullah Abdullah, the CEO of the National Unity Government said that due to differences of opinions at the leadership level, the distribution of eNIC is not legitimate.
CEO Abdullah Abdullah added that the president’s decision to begin the process of distributing eNIC would cause a crisis and, in the current context; the priority for the people is the security and achieving peace and stability instead.
According to CEO Adbullah Abdullah, the distribution of eNIC has been part of the public’s demand from the government; however, starting this process in the current situation is only demagogic.
In addition to fighting corruption and providing security to people, holding timely and transparent Wolesi Jirga and Presidential elections are also very important, CEO Abdullah Abdullah added.
In these circumstances given the current situation in the country, most people would not come to enrol for the eNIC and the distribution of paper NIC should be continued instead, CEO Abdullah Abdullah said.
Abdul Latif Pedram, the leader of the Afghan National Congress party said mentioning of the word “Afghan” on the eNIC for all ethnic groups, and initiating the distribution of the eNIC has been started by the government without the Wolesi Jirga passing it.
Pedram added that this decision of President Ghani corresponds to declaring war against the people. Pedram warned that they will not allow a few individuals – sitting in the Arg, to compel their wills on the people.
On the other hand, many influential figures have posted on their Facebook pages, rejecting the decision of the president over the distribution of the eNIC and have demanded that the government distribute the eNIC based on the law passed by the Wolesi Jirga.
Based on the law, initially passed by the Wolesi Jirga (Lower House of Representatives) and the Mishrano Jirga (Upper House of Representative), the eNIC should have been distributed without the mentioning of the word “Afghan” or other ethnicity or nationality identifiers, which was also approved by the president at that time, however, the disagreements led to modification of the subject matter and the word “Afghan” was added to the eNIC later on. The disagreement over the word “Afghan” to be mentioned on the eNIC still exists, and some people still insist on the distribution of the eNIC based on the initial law passed by the House of Representatives.
ENDS