The Department of National Registration has urged the people to ensure that their identity cards are valid, ahead of the upcoming presidential elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday, it reminded the people to renew their identity cards before the expiration date, urging those with less than six months validity to submit it for renewal.

Noting that ‘this is election year’, the Department of National Registration highlighted that there might be some difficulties ‘if all were to submit ID cards for renewal at the same time,’ for both the department and those requiring the service.

Furthermore, it noted that those going for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage have been submitting ID cards for renewal ‘days before departure’.

Urging the people not to wait till the last minute to submit ID cards for renewal, the department highlighted that this will only make things easier for people.

The Elections Commission has said that the first round of presidential elections will be held in early September. An announcement is expected in July.