Africa-Press – Gambia. A civic group known as Gambia ID Card Scheme A Great Concerned (GICSAC) has formally petitioned the Ministry of Interior, calling for an immediate halt to the issuance of national identity cards to Gambians abroad.
Speaking at a press conference held on Tuesday, the group expressed serious concerns over what they described as a “dangerous and unregulated” practice, warning that it poses significant threats to national security and the integrity of The Gambia’s electoral process.
“We write to your office to express our dissatisfaction and concerns regarding the issuance of the national document ( ID Card) to citizens considered to be in the diaspora. Having experienced firsthand challenges, it’s concerning to note that the Gambia Immigration Department struggles to maintain ID printing for citizens who are currently residing within the geography of the country. The pressing question remains: why are these identity cards issued freely to alleged citizens living abroad without the necessary scrutiny?” They asked in the petition.
GICSAC argued that distributing national identity cards in foreign countries undermines the sanctity of the national identification system and opens the door to potential exploitation.
“When ID Cards are distributed without stringent checks, there’s a high risk of misuse by individuals who may not genuinely have the nation’s best interests at heart. This situation creates a disparity between citizens residing within the country and those outside, challenging the authenticity and spirit of our national identity,” the petition said.
They warned that, without proper oversight, the practice could be manipulated and used to interfere with the country’s democratic processes.
“National identity should be a revered testament to one’s connection to their homeland, not a commodity easily accessed without verification. This practice jeopardizes our national safety, with potential infiltration by those who could harm our communities and distort our democratic practices,” the group said.Citing global immigration studies, GICSAC emphasized that weak identity management systems often lead to a wide range of security concerns, including unauthorized access to state resources and benefits.
“Furthermore, such lax processes at an international level can erode trust in such crucial national documents. Concrete action is required. We urge the Gambian government to immediately halt the issuance of identity cards to individuals abroad and implement a rigorous verification and approval process. Enhance security protocols to ensure all identity cards issued align with national security measures and electoral integrity,” the group asserted.
The group insisted that the Ministry of Interior has a responsibility to preserve Gambia’s national identity and protect the country’s sovereignty.
“Together, we can all secure a Gambia that honors the rights and responsibilities of its citizens at home and abroad. Act now and make your country a safe place. With elections on the horizon in The Gambia, the timing of issuing Gambian national identity cards abroad raises serious concerns. It undermines our national security and risks compromising our electoral integrity. Offering national identification to individuals outside our borders could lead to security threats and erode the democratic process that we cherish,” the petition reads.
According to GICSAC, issuing ID cards in foreign countries introduces the risk of electoral malpractice and fraud, especially given the lack of transparency and verification mechanisms.
“In a world where security threats are escalating, fortifying the protocols around the distribution of our national identity cards is crucial. Issuing these ID Cards outside of The Gambia is not a transparent process, and it makes it challenging to verify the authenticity of the applicants and the legitimacy of their claims. This practice could inadvertently open doors to foreign interference in our electoral process,” they said.They referenced findings by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), which emphasize that maintaining credible voter registration is crucial to ensuring free and fair elections
“According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, maintaining the integrity of voter registration is pivotal for securing free and fair elections. By allowing the issuance of ID Cards in foreign lands, we are potentially sabotaging the efforts to maintain just electoral practices in our nation,” the group said.
They called on the Gambian government and the Immigration Department to immediately halt the issuance of national identity cards abroad.
“Implementing stricter controls on the distribution of national IDs could strengthen the trust in our electoral process, ensuring that our elections remain free, fair, and credible. The first troubling aspect of this issue is the lack of transparency regarding who exactly is benefiting from these identity cards abroad. We demand that the Immigration Department disclose the number of Gambians living overseas African Countries and the number of those who are undocumented. This lack of transparency only fuels skepticism about the motives behind such decisions,” the petition concluded.
For More News And Analysis About Gambia Follow Africa-Press
