The President of Kyrgyzstan has signed into law a plan to register the biometrics of all Kyrgyz Republic citizens over the age of 16 by August 2015. The project will see the formation of the Unified State Population Registry (EGRN).

The law was passed by the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan on 30 June 2014, and signed by President Atambayev on July 14.

The data will be used for various purposes including the eventual production of biometric passports and for voting purposes.

The government has set aside 250 milliom KGS (US$4.8m) to purchase equipment for collecting biometric data.

In an explanatory document to its citizens, the government said that the biometric database will be the basis for the formation of an accurate voters list for the parliamentary elections in 2015, and that there will be opportunities for voter identification by fingerprints and photographs on election day.

Collection of biometric data will begin August 31, 2014 and will last until July 2015, the statement said.

The database will store basic biographic information, passport details, civil status, and biometric data – including all ten fingerprints, a digital photograph of the face and handwritten signature.

The data will be collected in numerous ways including stationary registration points (such as passport offices) and via mobile teams, who will travel to settlements, Universities, airports and large retail outlets.