Can we vote with a digital ID? : which documents are activated for the November 14 elections

Argentine government officials who participated in the organization of the November 14 elections said that the digital identification is not a document authorized by the legislation in force to vote. Although they confirmed that this tool serves as an instrument of proof of identity – and that it is used to carry out procedures before public and private bodies – by article 167 of the National Electoral Code, it is not among authorized copies.

“The registration booklet (law 11.386), the civic book (law 13.010) and the national identity document (DNI), in all their formats (law 17.671) are enabling documents for the purposes of this law”, establishes this article of the norm that governs the elections in the country and on the basis of this mandate, the National Electoral Chamber, on the official website, highlights the following among the “frequently asked questions”:

Registration booklet / civic book

Green Notepad ID

Sky Blue Notepad ID

Celestial notebook DNI card, which contains the caption “Not valid to vote”.

New DNI card

The copy of the document must be identical or later than the one appearing in the register. The vote of citizens whose document corresponds to a copy prior to that which appears on the electoral list nor of those who present the “DNI on their mobile phone” will not be authorized.

National government sources consulted by Infobae acknowledged that among officials of the National Directorate of Elections and Electoral Justice there had been conversations about the possibility of allowing digital ID to vote for this change, but it was rejected for two reasons, l ‘one normative and the second, equally or more important, practical. Does article 167 not consider this format and to authorize it would require a new law by qualified majority? and, moreover, to be able to admit it, it would be necessary incorporation of QR code readers in each of the voting tables certify that the image presented on the mobile phone corresponds to the identity of the person wearing it.

The digital DNI, which is processed via a smart mobile phone, was launched in November 2019, shortly before the end of Mauricio Macri’s government. This new format allows anyone over the age of 14, national or foreign, permanently or temporarily staying, to carry their identity on their mobile phone with the same validity as the DNI card. To have it is optional and does not replace a valid ID card it completes it. There are two ways of carrying the identity and each chooses which of the documents to present when performing a daily procedure.

To have it, you need a smartphone, an e-mail box, an account in My Argentina and the application downloaded to the phone. But the procedure must be in person. That is to say, it is necessary to go to one of the documentation centers (Renaper, DNI mobiles, CGP, civil status or consulates if you live abroad) and when managing a new document, request the digital DNI at no additional cost.

“The single exposure is sufficient, because it is done with the DNI card. The virtual identifier of the national identity document for smart mobile devices will be considered for all purposes as a national identity document, having full identification value in all public and private documents, ”he said. was reported when the measure was launched, which is in charge of the National Register of Persons (Renaper).

The reasons not to accept it

The main cause that was assessed for keeping the digital ID excluded from the appropriate instruments to prove identity at the voting table was the possibility of altering the photo. “The image is the key for the confirmation of the voter data. As this photo can be cropped, by not having a QR code reader at each table so that the authorities can certify the veracity of the data, it was decided not to move forward. This conversation was between the House and the National Electoral Directorate, at the beginning, but then the pandemic arrived and it came to nothing “, admit the sources consulted by Infobae.

Among the projects for the next election, they indicate, is the possible reform of current legislation, to update the times and technological tools available central aspects of the voting process. “The DNI book, the registration book itself or the civic book have less security features and have more vulnerabilities than the digital ID, but today some are accepted and the other is not, ”said the spokespersons.

“An update is also necessary due to the extension of rights, with non-binary documents. Today, with the legislation that we have, there is a gap which, without a pandemic, can perhaps be addressed and discussed in the National Congress, ”they estimated.

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