Morocco Introduces Mandatory Electronic ID Cards for Citizens 16 and Older

This decree, examined by the members of the government, sets the model of the new identity card as provided for in Article 14 of the law. It mentions the validity period of the card, which will be 10 years for people over 12 and 7 years for those under 12. The law in its Article 2 stipulates that "any citizen aged 16 must have a national electronic identity card". Article 15 of the law provides for a fine of 300 to 400 DH for those who do not comply with this provision. Holders of the new card must have it with them in case of a check. Not having it on you is punishable by a fine of 100 to 150 DH, reports L’Économiste.

The draft decree examined by the Council of Government also determines the conditions for renewal, change or addition of data contained in this card. These include "the change of first name or surname, the modification of the date or place of birth, the transfer of the place of residence, the damage to the CIEN, its loss, the expiration of its validity period".

In addition to the information contained on the two sides of the new National Electronic Identity Card, a part of the CIEN, readable electronically, will have to contain a series of data, as provided for in Article 5 of the law. These include "the national identification number, the gender code, numbers to ensure the veracity of the card information". There will also be other information such as fingerprints, digital security certificates that will be hosted on "the high-security chip", the same source specifies.