In a community outreach effort, local authorities and representatives from the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) convened a meeting at the Shangani District headquarters to raise awareness about the National Biometric Registration system and solicit input from residents.
The event was inaugurated by Shangani District Commissioner Safiya Ismail Mohamed and Garad Abdiqani Nur, NISA’s Head of Public Relations, who emphasized the meeting’s objective: providing the local community with an opportunity to learn about the national identification process and share their concerns and suggestions with the agency.
Expressing her gratitude, Commissioner Mohamed commended NISA for choosing Shangani District as the venue for this important initiative. “We truly appreciate the administration and the organizers for giving us this chance to host the registration campaign in our district,” she stated.
Garad Abdiqani Nur reiterated the significance of the biometric registration process, emphasizing that it is a prerequisite for Somali citizens to participate in the upcoming elections. “For those without a national ID card, obtaining a voter registration card will require presenting a valid identification document, such as a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of Somali citizenship,” he explained.
With the electoral process scheduled for June and the registration period lasting until April, Nur urged the Shangani community to seize this four-month window from January to April to complete their registration. “We encourage everyone to come forward and provide their biometric data, including fingerprints and iris scans, to obtain their national ID cards,” he stated.
During the meeting, community members from various backgrounds actively participated, raising questions and offering suggestions regarding the registration process, ensuring inclusivity for marginalized groups, and addressing data privacy and security concerns.
Mohamed Abdullahi, a NISA representative, responded to the public’s inquiries, clarifying that every Somali citizen, without the need for endorsement from elders or politicians, can establish their identity by presenting their national ID card. “The Somali government’s biometric registration initiative holds significant importance, as it enables citizens to access various services provided by the federal government, agencies, and private companies seamlessly and free of charge,” he emphasized.
As the meeting progressed, attendees from diverse segments of the community voiced their questions and shared recommendations pertaining to the registration process, the consideration of marginalized groups, and the safeguarding of personal data and security.
The community engagement event in Shangani District underscored the government’s commitment to raising awareness about the National Biometric Registration system and fostering inclusive dialogue with citizens to ensure a smooth and transparent process.
