Bangladesh High Commission in London has started the formal registration of Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK and Ireland to provide them with the national identity (NID) cards.

The inaugural event was held at the high commission in London on Wednesday in presence of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nural Huda, the High Commission said in a statement yesterday.

The UK is the first among western countries from where Bangladeshi expatriates can have their registration done online to get NID cards.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem thanked the CEC and the Election Commission for their support to bring this service to the doorsteps of the Bangladeshi expatriates in the UK.

CEC Huda said Bangladeshi-British nationals can now be registered online for NID cards from their homes. Upon verification of their information, the applicants will be advised to come to the help desk at the high commission or embassy to provide their finger prints.

Subsequently, NID cards will be given to eligible applicants through the help desk of their respective country, which will be opened in due course.

Tasneem said in London they will be observing a "Mujib Borsho Special Consular Week" from March 23 when they are planning to handover the first batch of NID cards.