New electronic ID cards, meant to help identify Poles more efficiently, will be introduced in July 2011.

The Civic Platform government planned to introduce new ID cards in January 2011 but the Interior Ministry is trying to postpone it until July 2011.

“The delay results from EU procedures: in order to introduce new e-IDs we will need the European Commission’s consent,” says Malgorzata Wozniak, Interior Ministry’s spokesperson. MPs are not happy with the delay. “Maybe we’ll manage to persuade a minister to introduce e-IDs earlier,” says Civic Platform MP Marek Wojcik.

The new ID cards will be plastic with a built-in microprocessor, which will enable its owner to store all sorts of electronic information on it, including photographs. It will contain personal data, such as name, surname, parents’ names, ID number, sex, nationality, place and date of birth but will not include information about one’s permanent address.

Poles will be able to choose a photo which they will save on the new ID. They will also be allowed to wear tinted glasses or a hat in the picture, different from current regulations which require earrings to be removed and to show the left ear. (mg/mmj)

Source: Gazeta Wyborcza