NID services halted for 2 hours as EC officials hold 'Stand for NID' programme

Officials of the Election Commission (EC) have been observing their pre-announced "Stand for NID" programme in front of the EC Building in the capital today (13 March).

All NID services remained halted since the beginning of the programme around 11am.

During the programme, EC officials demanded the repelling of National Identity Registration Act, 2023 and reinstatement of NID services under the EC.

At the programme, convener of Election Commission Officers' Association Manir Hossain said unless there is any progress on this matter within 18 March, they will observe a half-day operational halt programme from 9am to 12pm on 19 March.

Earlier yesterday (12 March), EC officials announced they will halt their operations for two hours from 11am to 1pm today and form a human chain in front of the EC Building demanding reinstatement of NID services under the EC.

Manir, who is the deputy secretary of the EC Secretariat, made the announcement of the programme at a press conference in the EC building yesterday.

He said, "The voter list and NID services must remain under the same institution. EC also wants voter list to remain under EC. But we saw the government to form a separate commission for NID services."

"We have given a memorandum to CEC protesting this decision, and EC has also informed the government as a consequence. However, we did not see any foreseeable result, which is why we have decided to carry out our 'Stand for NID' programme in front of EC Building tomorrow from 11am to 1pm," added Manir.