Preamble

WHEREAS, a reliable and effective system of identifying citizens and other residents is recognized by all countries as essential for purposes of rule of law and social planning, including the effective delivery of social and other essential services; and benefits;

RECALLING, that PRC Decree #65 promulgated in 1983 represents the first National effort at implementing a national identification system, and did establish a Bureau of National Identification Registry empowered to issue national identification cards, albeit with a focus on assisting with revenues collection;

WHEREAS, the national identification cards issued by the Bureau of National Identification Registry have been found inadequate for the intended purpose due to many factors including the rudimentary nature of the technology and process used to produce the identification cards;

MINDFUL, of the double dipping, illegal migration and other frauds resulting from impersonation and identity thefts continue to undermine the efforts of government to strengthen public and private institutions, provide essential services, and promote rule of law and progress; and

WHEREAS, based on the experiences of other countries and a biometric identification system that has been implemented for Liberian civil servants, the Government is satisfied that biometric identification is a reliable and efficient system of identification, and therefore desires to extend it as a national identification system throughout the Republic;

NOW THEREFORE, it is enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia in Legislature Assembled: