EC to face problems if NID service goes to home ministry: Nurul Huda

Chief election commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda said on Wednesday that EC would face problems if the National Identity (NID) card related services are taken under the home ministry.

“It is not a chair or table that can move away elsewhere easily. We have to sit together to discuss the issue,” said Nurul Huda.

The election commissioner came up with this statement on Wednesday following the inauguration of a medical camp at the building of electoral training institute in Dhaka.

Nurul Huda said NID wing is a large organisation. There must be a discussion at the secretary level on how it will be shifted. The advantages and disadvantages of EC regarding the matter will be discussed there.

Mentioning both parties have logics, the chief election commissioner further said the government, of course, has some reasons in this regard. The EC has also some logics.

Their (government) logic is that this service is not under the election commission’s jurisdiction. That logic is correct.

But the EC said it is not possible for any other department to create several thousands of professional manpower afresh that the EC has now to conduct this service.

The NID related services are set to be shifted to the Security Services Division under the home ministry. The government, however, will have to reform the National Identity Registration Act, 2010.

A letter has already been sent to the cabinet division from the prime minister office (PMO) asking to take necessary steps over the matter.