The Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology has announced that the draft Digital Identity Bill is now open for public consultation.
The government has launched a nationwide project titled 'Maldives 2.0' to work together with all public institutions, aimed towards achieving reforms across the digital sector. According to the Ministry, the Digital Identity Bill is linked to the fourth pillar of the Maldives 2.0 project. While the Digital Identity Bill has now been drafted and opened for public comment, the Ministry has instructed the public to cite the source of their information when submitting comments on the bill.
To ensure transparency, the Ministry will publicise all comments received on the bill. However, those submitting feedback may request confidentiality on parts or all of their submissions, if the the reasons are clearly stated. The request for confidentiality will be assessed to the extent permitted by law, and the Ministry reserves the right to publish any document or submission at its discretion, it said.
Comments on the bill may be submitted until 15 June.
The Digital Maldives Project is a five-year project funded by the World Bank. The National Center for Information Technology (NCIT), Communication Authority of Maldives (CAM), Department of National Registration (DNR) and Local Government Authority (LGA) will be involved in the project. Their services will significantly in public service delivery, the Ministry said.