Government could cancel national identification (NID) registration and NID card of anyone if it requires.
Adding a clause on this issue, Security Service division of Home Ministry has finalized the draft of NID registration law.
The draft proposed by the cabinet division is on final stage after a few rounds of discussion and analyses. It will soon be presented to the cabinet meeting for getting passed.
Additional secretary of Cabinet Division Shafiul Azim told Bangladesh Pratidin, "With a view to transfer the NID service to Security Service division, the existing law has been modified and new one’s formed after it has been scrutinized in our division. We’ve checked whether there’s any contradiction or inconsistency. It’s now scheduled to be presented in the cabinet meeting.”
In the cancellation clause of the existing NID Registration Act 2010, it has been stated, “In case of the termination of citizenship, the NID will also be taken as cancelled and NID number on that NID card won’t be used on NID of any other citizen.”
Details of the matter are also disclosed in this clause of new act, and one clause is being added as well. “In case of termination of citizenship or death, his/her NID will be cancelled and it can’t be transferred to anyone.” However, in the new clause, it has been stated, “Government can cancel the NID registration and card of anyone by showing cause if necessary.”
In the proposed act, for various crimes regarding NID the law of maximum 7 years and minimum two years of sentencing has been defined. If anyone make fake copy of NID, carry other people’s NID or misrepresent information, then he will be entitled to seven years of jail. There’s financial penalty also included in the law, however the amount of money hasn’t fixed.
Moreover, if any government officer or worker or any people involved with NID registration, preparation, distribution and preservation spoil or manipulate information preserved to registrar intentionally, then it will be regarded as crime. For this, he will be sentenced or fined, or get both punishment. Additionally, if anyone distort or spoil any information in the NID would be subjected to two years of prison or fine.
Besides, according to the law, in filling complaints, investigation, trial and appeal, the rules of CRPS in 1898 will be effective. According to the draft of the act, each citizen is entitled to only one NID registration number, which will work as the prime registration number he can present everywhere for the citizen. Five definitive duty of the national NID registrar has been stated in the draft. It said, “According to the demand of the registrar, any person, organization, commission or agency must submit the information and papers preserved to them and help him in fulfill his duty.”
The matter of voters-list isn’t going to be included in the draft of NID registration act. As the Election Commission has the right to form voters list according to the provision stated in the constitution, so the matter of ‘voters-list’ has been excluded here. The law has been given a concise form, considering the fact that they might have to face challenge in the court if the matter of voters-list exists in the law. Only NID related guideline is included here.
At present, NID are given according to ‘NID Registration Act-2010.’ Last year, government had decided to take charge of the NID-related works under their supervision, which was under EC previously. It wants to take the responsibilities after forming a new Directorate. The law will be passed in cabinet division and in national parliament afterwards. Before that, the Security Service division of home ministry has taken initiative to run the activities by forming ‘NID registration sub-division.’
@The report appeared on print and online version of The Bangladesh Pratidin on September 8,2022 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque
