No multiple ID cards crisis at Identity Malta, ministry insists

The Justice Ministry yesterday rushed to deny reports, published in The Malta Independent, about a crisis at Identity Malta which saw numerous individuals being issued with more than one ID card.

In a statement yesterday it insisted that there was no internal crisis and that there was no internal report relating to problems emanating from sampling of the ID card registry. It said it was also not true that an internal inquiry was called.

The Malta Independent on Sunday reported how Identity Malta is facing an internal crisis with the ‘collapse’ of the ID cards system one year ahead of a general election. An internal report leaked to the newspaper by sources within Identity Malta showed that out of a sample of 300 people on the ID card registry, 80 have been found to be holding more than one ID card, with five even holding three ID cards under the same name with three different ID numbers.

Yesterday, The Malta Independent Daily referred to a 2016 court judgement, in which a court remarked that a Serbian national who was accused with theft had two different ID cards, with two different addresses. This newspaper quoted directly from the court judgement, handed down by Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, titled: ‘Police vs Dejan Zunic, holder of ID card number 33***A as well as ID card number 132***A.’

Reacting, the Justice Ministry said that the ID Cards Unit of Identity Malta only issues ID cards for Maltese citizens.

“Expatriates (be they European Union or third country nationals) are not issued an ID card but a residence document. This residence document does not entitle anyone to vote in general elections and there is absolutely no link at all between a residence document and the right to vote in general elections because holders of a residence document are not entitled to vote in general elections.

“Secondly, Dejan Zunic, a Serb national who was arraigned in court in 2016, was not in possession of two different ID cards, because expatriates are issued with a mere residence document. Furthermore, it is also not true that Mr Zunic was issued with two valid residence documents at the same time. Mr Zunic was originally in possession of a residence document issued on the basis of a Yugoslavian passport. Years later, when his previous residence document was expired, he submitted an application for another residence permit on the basis of a new Serbian passport showing a different surname.

“With regards to identity cards, once a Maltese citizen is issued with a new ID card all previous cards are invalidated and Identity Malta holds and registers details for tracking purposes, the ministry said.

“Also, the fact that a Maltese citizen holds a valid identity card does not entitle him or her to an automatic right to vote. An example is the case of Maltese citizens who have been given an effective and serious prison sentence by the Courts. The Electoral Commission, and not Identity Malta, is the body which regulates issues of voting rights and Identity Malta has no say whatsoever in determining which Maltese citizens have a right to vote or otherwise,” the ministry said.