SANTO DOMINGO – In a landmark development for national infrastructure, the Dominican Republic’s Central Electoral Board (JCE) has revealed comprehensive plans for the nation’s first integrated identity and voter registration system. The official rollout will commence with a ceremonial presentation of the inaugural card to President Luis Abinader on January 26, 2026—a date symbolically chosen to coincide with the birthday of national hero Juan Pablo Duarte. The event is scheduled to take place at the JCE’s main auditorium.
JCE President Román Andrés Jáquez Liranzo provided detailed technical and operational insights, noting that the ambitious project entered its development phase in December 2024. The initiative has a monumental target: the nationwide issuance of approximately 9.4 million dual-purpose identity and electoral cards. The mass public registration process for this new document is slated to begin on April 8, 2025.
The new card represents a significant technological leap. Constructed from a durable nine-layer polycarbonate composite, it is engineered to remain functional for over a quarter of a century. A key security enhancement is the adoption of sophisticated laser engraving technology, which replaces conventional printing methods. This advanced technique drastically improves the card’s resistance to forgery, tampering, and general wear.
Eligibility for the card is structured by demographic. The full electoral and identity card will be mandatory for all citizens aged 18 and above. A distinct, identity-only version will be allocated to specific groups: minors between the ages of 16 and 18, active-duty members of the armed forces and national police, and foreign residents who are legally registered in the country. This stratified approach aims to streamline identification processes while bolstering national security and electoral integrity.