Plans to digitize key government services are set to be delayed until 2016 due to alleged corruption during the bidding process and fears of vendor lock-in in relation to the proposed new IT services.

It is hoped the planned changes will reduce bureaucracy by allowing Polish citizens to apply for services such as new ID cards online, rather than having to meet civil servants in person at government departments. Use of the system was originally due to start at the end of 2014.

However, Roman Dmowski, Poland's vice-minister of internal affairs, told Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza that due to the severe problems experienced so far the government has not option but to put off the proposed changes.

“I am aware of the drawbacks [of the delays] but it is the only sensible solution,” Mr Dmowski said.