Let EC keep NID services under its jurisdiction

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin said he would "strongly urge" the government to keep the National Identity services under the Election Commission's jurisdiction.

His remark comes amidst a government initiative to consolidate civic services, including birth registration and national identity registration services, under a single entity -- "Civil Registration Commission".

"We will strongly voice our opinions in the law-making process. Wherever opinions are needed, we will give [our opinions]. The entire commission is in agreement," the CEC told reporters at the EC headquarters in the capital.

The CEC's statement followed a protest by EC staff who were against the potential transfer of NID operations. They issued a seven-day ultimatum, threatening further action if no progress is made by March 12.

Nasir Uddin clarified that while discussions are ongoing, he believes the government has not finalised the transfer.

"We will inform the government in writing that it should stay under the EC. We will inform the government on an urgent basis."

The issue stems from a recent inter-ministerial meeting reviewing the draft of the 'Civil Registration (Commission) Ordinance, 2025'.

Previously, in 2023, the government had enacted legislation to move NID operations to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a law the EC now seeks to repeal.

The CEC said that NID services are intrinsically linked to voter registration, developed through 17 years of dedicated effort by EC officials.

He expressed confidence that the government will consider the EC's perspective and address any informational gaps.

"However, we are a constitutional body. If the government makes a law, we have to obey the law. But we will urgently raise our opinion in the law-making process," Nasir Uddin stated.

Several other EC officials echoed the CEC's sentiments.

SM Asaduzzaman, director general of the Electoral Training Institute, said if the NID operation is removed from EC jurisdiction, the elections would be under threat. "We have submitted a memorandum [to the CEC] expressing our concerns."

Monir Hossain, convener of the Bangladesh Election Commission Officers' Association, said, "We have informed the commission, given time, and expect visible progress by next Wednesday. Otherwise, officials and employees across the country, including the EC Secretariat, will go for human chains on March 13. Even then, if our demands are not met, we will go on more stringent programmes, including a work abstention."