Officials report positive response to new ID registration

Electoral officials have reported a positive response from Barbadians with the rollout of registration for the Trident ID card this week.

Up to Tuesday, they said the most central of the 22 centres across the island had seen a steady flow of residents signing up for the new card.

The Trident card, which is touted to make identification and accessing services easier and faster, is set to replace the existing national ID card as the primary form of identification for Barbados.

It will feature advanced digital capabilities in line with the country’s move towards technological integration to support its development.

“This new card signals Barbados’ investment in the path towards modernisation and the commitment to building a secure digital infrastructure for Barbados,” Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) Davidson Ishmael said.

“We are proud to realise the launch of the Trident card and look forward to seeing the cards fully utilised as we onboard new services and functionalities to make the lives of Barbadians easier, safer and better.”

Project Manager, National Digital ID, Elsa Webster said that in addition to being compliant with international standards for identification, the Trident ID card is more secure, durable and technologically driven.

“It is tamper-resistant with a range of visible and invisible security features to make it extremely difficult to counterfeit, it has an embossed Trident to assist those with visual impairments to be able to identify and orient the card, and it is now the same shape and size as all other cards, making it easier to carry.”

Registration continues using the surname system with two weeks for each category. However, pensioners, persons with disabilities, and welfare recipients can register at any time.

Registration will begin on September 26 for persons who are incapacitated or in institutions, by request. (PR)