Morocco Unveils Smart National ID Card with Enhanced Security Features

The new national electronic identity card (CIEN) will be "intelligent, secure and practical", it is indicated. As a novelty, this text will allow the integration of the digital identity of each citizen, with a unique identifier. Any applicant for the CIEN must be 16 years old. According to Article 3, the new card will be equipped with an encrypted electronic chip, readable via adapted terminals.

Similarly, this bill determines the information appearing on the two sides of the card, in particular the name and first name, the date and place of birth, the expiration date, the civil status number, an access code to the encrypted information... Each citizen can request the integration of certain information in the highly secure part at the level of the electronic chip of the CIEN, according to article 6 of this text.

Another advantage is that the new card will allow citizens to avoid providing a list of documents during administrative procedures. The text also provides for a series of sanctions. For example, persons aged 16 and over who have not filed an application for the CIEN must pay a fine of 300 to 400 DH. The same will apply to people who have not renewed their cards. They will have to pay a fine of 200 to 300 DH.

Cardholders are required to carry the identity card at all times. The citizen who does not have his card on him will have to pay a fine of 100 to 150 DH.