EC centralises NID correction process at DG level to ensure transparency

The Election Commission (EC) has overhauled the procedure for correcting information in National Identity (NID) cards, directing that all such applications, including those seeking changes to birth dates and other key details, be processed at the Director General (DG) level of the NID wing instead of at the field level.

The new directive was recently issued through an official order signed by Muhammad Sarwar Hossain, assistant director of the NID Registration Subdivision.

Under a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued on 24 December last year, all birth date-related correction applications have been classified as "Category D". Previously, such applications were processed by field-level officials – including regional and district election officers – under Categories A, B, or C.

According to the order, applications submitted before the issuance of the SOP and categorised under other groups must now be upgraded to Category D. Regional NID officials will present the relevant documents to the DG for final processing.

To implement the changes, the EC has issued three specific instructions to field-level officials. First, they must prepare a list of all birth date correction applications previously classified under Categories A to C and submit it to the Additional Regional Election Officers (AREO) by 23 February.

Second, AREOs must reclassify these applications as Category D by 28 February. Third, in view of the 13th national parliamentary election and the referendum, all pending applications are to be processed promptly.

The EC said centralising the categorisation and processing of applications at the DG level is aimed at increasing transparency in NID corrections.

The commission said the rapid processing initiative is intended to ensure uninterrupted citizen services during the election period.

All regional, district and upazila election officials have been instructed to strictly comply with the new directives.