The Election Commission (EC) is looking for continuing the National Identity Card (NID) service along with the Covid-19 vaccine programme.
The National Identity Registration Division is taking an initiative to bring citizens aged 15 years and above under registration.
Due to this, the ones born on or before January 1, 2007 can apply online for NID services. Later, when they turn 18, they will be registered as voters automatically.
NID Wing Director (Operations), Nuruzzaman Talukder, said on Wednesday that a proposal has been made to the Election Commission.
EC officials said that the preparation of the voter list with photographs started in 2007-2008. Voters' lists are updated regularly, with corrections, transfers and the addition of new ones.
The last time 15-16 year olds were registered together in 2019. Those born on or before January 1, 2004 are brought under registration. Many of them will be automatically registered as voters in 2022.
The EC's NID wing launched an online service in April last year after the pandemic began. The coronavirus vaccination process began this year. The government has brought many age groups under the vaccination program. 18-year-olds are also set to be vaccinated.
Moreover, the process of vaccinating students has also begun. At present, there are more than 11 crore 17 lakh voters in the country.
Director of NID Wing Nuruzzaman Talukder said, “The DG held a meeting on Monday. The meeting discussed
taking steps to register those born on or before January 1, 2006. The proposal has been sent to the commission. The Election Commission will consider this initiative. ”
He said that door to door information is not being collected. Citizens are promoted to apply online.
He further said that if it is decided to vaccinate the younger ones further, then it will be considered as to how they can be given the NID. For now, 16 and 17 year olds should have NID.
Meanwhile, there is an initiative to open educational institutions by vaccinating students. In such a situation, the EC's initiative will also be useful. If two more years are added this time, about 30-40 lakh new voters may be added.
Nuruzzaman Talukder further said, "We have submitted the proposal to the commission. If the commission approves it this month, 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to take NID effortlessly from next month. All they have to do is apply online with the required paperwork. They only have to come to the office of the concerned Upazila Election Officer for fingerprints and eye scanning.
