NID should remain under Election Commission, says CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin has said that transferring the National Identity (NID) services from the Election Commission (EC) to the government would create problems and that NID should remain under the EC’s authority.

He made the remarks while responding to journalists’ questions at the Election Commission building on Tuesday (March 4).

The CEC said he was not aware of any government decision to take over NID services but noted that the government was considering ways to provide all services under one platform.

However, “Our representatives have already conveyed the EC’s opinion on this matter to government”.

He expressed confidence that the government would not make any decision without consulting the EC.

Removing NID services from the EC would cause issues, especially with ongoing voter registration and the upcoming national elections. Reports of such a move have caused concern among EC officials and employees, he said.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Monir Hossain, convenor of the Election Commission Officers‍‍` Association, told reporters that any decision regarding the reform commission’s recommendations should be finalized only after discussions with the National Consensus Commission and political parties. He warned that a rushed decision could serve the interests of a particular group.

The interim government has decided to form a separate commission to integrate birth registration and NID services under one platform, following recommendations from the reform commission. The Cabinet Secretary has already sent a letter informing the Election Commission about this decision.