Christodoulides: Cabinet approving purchase of 100,000 e-IDs

The Cabinet will approve the purchase of 100,000 electronic IDs President Nikos Christodoulides has confirmed.

"We will approve in the Cabinet at 11am the incentives for an electronic identity card, including the digital signature, to enhance the efficiency of security and speed of transactions, ensuring that government services are provided seamlessly and with safety."

He continued, "Today the Cabinet is expected to take this very important decision regarding electronic IDs, approving the purchase of one hundred thousand electronic IDs over a period of three years and making them available for use by citizens of the Republic over 18 years of age." 

The decision, President Christodoulides pointed out, "Will make a decisive contribution to our effort for the gradual digital transition of the state."

As he explained, "The identity card that we will announce today (9 October) will have a duration of three years with the right of renewal and will allow, among other things, fast electronic identification for access to information systems with a high level of assurance, even recognised at the European level for cross-border transactions."

Thus, the President of the Republic emphasised, "If it is being used at the same time for the electronic signature of documents, it will have the same legal force as a handwritten signature and can be used in all electronic transactions that currently require a handwritten signature to be processed."

In conclusion, the President expressed his certainty that everyone understands the benefits that arise for the public, the citizens, and the private sector with this specific action, and said that this was a substantial boost towards the development of fully digital services.

(Source: CNA)