The Campaign For Free and Fair Elections has revealed that there are over 15 157 eligible voters without national identity cards in the Trincomalee district.

During a discussion between Trincomalee District Secretary, Divisional Secretaries, Head of the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) and representatives of Center for Human Rights and Research (CHR.)

The meeting was held  17th of October  as a precursor to a series of mobile clinics to facilitate national identity cards and birth certificates from November 15, 2014.

Head of DRP R.M.S Sarath Kumara has explained the rules and regulations on issuing national identity cards and birth certificates and steps that should be taken to expedite the issuing process.

“There are 14 870 persons without national identity cards in Trincomalee according to the data given. However the real number might be higher. There are instances where people do not have supporting documents to obtain a national identity card or a birth certificate. Kumara explained steps that could be taken in such events and what are the alternative supporting documents that can be used. For example a person without a birth certificate can even use documents like school leaving certificate or the birth certificates of their children”, said Ahmad Manas, National Organizer of CHR.

During the meeting Divisional Secretaries has said that a number of people in following areas do not have national identity cards, Verugal (347), Kantale (560), Seruwila (317), Kinniya (6000), Trincomalee town and gravets (579), Kuchchaweli (4000), Muttur (1489), Gomarankadawala (235), Morawewa (200), Thambalagamuwa (900) and Padawiya (600).

Manas added that it is vital to provide these identification documents to people of Trincomalee given the coming national elections.

CHR and DRP had met Grama Niladaris of Trincomalee on October 15 at Kuchchaweli, Kinniya and Trincomalee District Secretariats. The mobile clinics in Trincomalee district will be held between November 15 – 29.