Over 500 people have multiple NIDs: NID DG
Highlights:
- Authority to correct NID information, to be extended to district-level officers
- More power to EC secretariat officials to streamline service delivery
- No final decision on which ministry will host server on Rohingya data
- Expat voter registration to begin in Canada next week
More than 500 individuals across Bangladesh possess multiple National Identity Cards (NIDs), said ASM Humayun Kabir, director general of the National Identity Registration Wing of the Election Commission (EC).
Speaking to reporters at the EC office in Dhaka today (5 May), he said, "By next week, you will see significant progress on actions taken regarding these individuals. With over 13 crore records, it is not possible to check each one manually. If information is brought to our attention and we find it valid, we take action."
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
The DG also said the authority to correct NID information, which was previously limited to regional election officers, is now being extended to district-level officers.
"To ensure better service, the commission is approving legitimate applications quickly. Our goal is to provide timely service by distributing responsibilities appropriately," he added.
Humayun further noted that adjustments are being made to delegate more power to EC secretariat officials to streamline service delivery.
"We've authorised regional officials to categorise applications, and we're monitoring their performance. Some are doing well, while others are not," he said.
On the issue of Rohingya refugees, the DG mentioned that a database was expected to be shared with the EC via API last week.
"We haven't received a final decision on which ministry will host the server on Rohingya data. But as long as we can verify their fingerprints, the server location is not a concern," he added.
Regarding expatriate voters, the DG said overseas voter registration is currently active in eight countries, including Australia.
"Regular registration is happening in Australia. We expect to begin in Canada next week, which will raise the number to nine countries. The main obstacle in expanding this service is space constraints at embassies.
"We've held meetings with the finance and foreign ministries. An inter-ministerial meeting will be held next week to identify and resolve issues so that the programme can be expanded to 40 countries," he said.
