The News Minute | November 28, 2014 | 9:00 am IST

Saudi Arabia has said all women will get the new electronic and smart national ID card with biometric fingerprint technology by 2019.

“Since the decision to grant women a national ID, all of the issuing agency's 27 branches across the Kingdom are crowded. We are overwhelmed, which led us to initiate the online registration service to facilitate the process," Civil Affairs spokesman Mohammad Al-Jasser was quoted as saying by Saudi Gazette Thursday.

"During the past year alone, we received over 5.6 million bookings,” he added.

The Civil Affairs Department has opened additional branches for women in several areas to cope with demand, accommodate applicants living in rural areas and offer mobile services.

IANS