EC to firmly advocate for keeping NID services under its jurisdiction: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin has reaffirmed that the Election Commission will strongly advocate for retaining control over the national identity (NID) services amid government efforts to transfer them under a new entity.

"We will strongly voice our opinions in the law-making process. Wherever opinions are needed, we will give them. Our entire commission wants this," the CEC said today.

He made the remark while speaking to reporters following a sit-in protest by EC employees and officials in front of his office room at the Nirbachan Bhaban in Dhaka.

The protesting EC employees were demonstrating against a fresh move initiated by the interim government to bring various civic services, including birth registration and NID registration, under a single authority called the "Civil Registration Commission".

They also gave a seven-day ultimatum, stating that they will announce fresh programmes if no visible steps are taken over the issue by 12 March.

The CEC clarified that while there have been discussions, no final decision has been made by the interim government to remove NID operations from the EC.

"We will inform the government in writing that NID services should remain under the EC. We will communicate this on an urgent basis," Nasir Uddin said.

He further said, "Maybe the government is thinking of providing all services from one place. However, the entire Election Commission has agreed to keep NID services under its jurisdiction."

CEC Nasir emphasised that the EC has developed and maintained the NID infrastructure for over 17 years, building a nationwide network.

"NID is a byproduct of voter registration. The EC has worked hard to develop this system. I believe the government will take all these factors into account," he added.

The CEC reiterated that while the EC is a constitutional entity and must follow laws made by the government, it will strongly present its stance during the drafting of the new law.

"I'm not the ultimate decision-maker, but I represent the EC and can advocate for its position. We will ensure our opinions are heard," he said.

In 2023, the Awami League government enacted the National Identity Registration Act, 2023, transferring NID operations from the EC to the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, following the July mass uprising, which led to the downfall of the Sheikh Hasina regime, the EC Secretariat formally requested the interim government to repeal the law.