NID Services: Move to Home unconstitutional

The moving of services related to National Identity cards from the Election Commission to the home ministry was contrary to the constitution, eminent citizens said yesterday.

Taking part in a discussion organised by civil body platform Shushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), they said such a move might create a scope for misuse of citizens' personal information. And it might also give the opportunity to police to harass people and get involved in corruption.

Former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain said if the NID-related services went to the home ministry, it would be "contrary to the constitution and curb the independency of the Election Commission".

He added that he did not know why the government is interested in moving NID services to the home ministry. But it could arouse controversy.

"The decision of moving NID services to the home ministry without discussing with the commission was degrading for the commission," he added.

He also said if necessary, a statutory body could do the NID services after having infrastructures.

Eminent lawyer Shahdeen Malik said the moving process proves that the government does not care about democracy, good governance and the rule of law. The way the government made the orders seems that the government now considers the EC as its division or ministry.

"In the 2014 national election, over 150 MPs were elected unopposed and in the 2018 election, voting took place the night before the election day. It seems to me that moving of NID services is like another method for holding the next polls," he added.

Former Justice Abdul Matin, who presided over the discussion, said many people think the move was with "motivate".

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said the move was a naked attack on the independence of the commission. The NID card and voter list is inter-connected.

If the NID card and voter database come under the control of the government, it can create a scope for their political use. It also can give the government scope for including or excluding anyone, he added.

Dhaka University Professor Asif Nazrul said the government disgraced the EC. "If the NID services are given to the home ministry, it would be dangerous …."

He added that this move might create the scope for the police to harass people.

Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal leader Razequzzaman Ratan said this move was to curb citizen's rights.

Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Ruhin Hossain Prince said it reflects that the government wants to continue its authoritative rule.

Jatiya Party (Manju) leader Sheikh Shahidul Islam said there should be a separate body like NID Commission as there is a lack of trust in the home ministry.

Journalist Abu Sayeed Khan said the EC's NID wing was a successful one, it should be under the EC.

Another journalist Sohrab Hossain said the current Election Commission failed to ensure the voting rights of the people.

"It is now a spineless organisation…. I think the move of shifting the NID services was part of plan to divert the EC's failures," he added.

The Prime Minister's Office in late May instructed the Cabinet Division to take necessary steps to move NID-related services to the Security Services Division under the home ministry.

Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda and Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukdar already expressed concern regarding the matter.

Bangladesh Election Commission Officers Association and Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat and Field Level Officers-Employees Unity Council also expressed worry over this.