Around 1.7 million national identification cards had expired by July this year, prompting the Ministry of Interior to call for those holding expired ID cards to renew them within the next 90 days to ensure their validity, especially for use in the next year’s general election.

In an October 27 press release, the ministry said that from June 2012 to October 12 this year, a total of over 12.33 million ID cards had been issued, including the over 11.60 million people who had reached 18 years old and were required to have one.

Each ID card is valid for 10 years. The ministry had checked its database and discovered that 1.7 million ID cards expired before July this year.

The ministry called on the members of the public whose ID is expired or about to, and those who recently turned 18 years old, to visit their commune hall within 90 days to have new cards issued. Those who have lost their ID cards should also see their commune hall to order a replacement.

The ministry instructed its general department of administration, the national police, and the general department of identification to take measures to encourage people to make sure they are in possession of a valid ID card.