YEREVAN.- E-passports containing biometric data will be introduced in Armenia starting from the first quarter of 2012, said deputy head of Armenia’s police Arthur Osikyan.

The contest for the introduction of e-passports was held in 2010. Eight foreign companies participated in the contest. The Polska Wytwornia papierov Wartosciowych S. A (Poland) won the contest.

Identification cards will be compulsory for all citizens of Armenia aged 16. The ID-card will contain a chip with name of a citizen, date and place of birth, photo and e-signature.

E-passports will contain personal data, as well as prints of two fingers.