The transactions account for 62% of all online transactions, said Dr Zakariya Al Khaja, acting chief executive and Electronic Transformation deputy chief executive of the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA).
Wide ranging services
The national portal provides 32 eServices regarding ID cards and civil records, representing 95% of the government’s digital transformation target, Dr Al Khaja added, “The process began gradually, accelerating over the past few years to offer citizens and residents a comprehensive range of ID card and civil records eServices without the need for them to visit service centres. The number of online ID card transactions in 2021 was 361,276, from an overall total of 578,689.”
213,444 of the total transactions were delivered via post, including 1,064 requests for unique personal numbers, and 2,840 requesting printed copies of online notifications.
According to Dr Al Khaja, there were 1,046 requests for establishment unit numbers, 24,142 requests for birth certificates and 34,990 transactions carried out via self-service kiosks.
Civil records
“A total of 41,830 online transactions were carried out for updating civil records, while there were also 38,560 transactions for updating data and printing address certificates,” said Dr Al Khaja. The issuing of digital documents has reduced expenditure, time, and effort, he said.
Notable ID card eServices included family services including the issuance, renewal or replacement of ID cards as well as a range of services for domestic workers and children aged under four. They also included the renewal and replacement of ID cards for Bahrainis and other residents, appointment bookings and enquiries, the issuing of unique personal numbers, updating card data including address and unit numbers and the printing of address certificates.
Bahrain recently announced plans to build a local data hub to speed the region’s digital transformation efforts.
