EC Directive on Amendment of National Identity Card
ByAdmin
EC Directive on Amendment of National Identity Card. In a significant move aimed at easing the process of amending National Identity Cards (NID) in Bangladesh, the Election Commission has introduced a set of new guidelines. These directives are designed to streamline the NID correction process, minimize unnecessary delays, and reduce the burden on citizens. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make citizen services more accessible and efficient.
The Purpose of the Directive
The primary objective of these new guidelines is to decentralize the National Identity Card service, ensuring that citizens can access these services more quickly and with less hassle.
The Election Commission has explicitly instructed that the amendment applications for NIDs should not be left pending for long periods, and no unreasonable demands for additional documents should be made if the applicant has already provided the necessary documents, such as educational certificates, birth certificates, or other logically required papers.
EC Directive on Amendment of National Identity Card
Md. Shahedunnabi Chowdhury, the Director (Operations) of the NID Division of the Bangladesh Election Commission, has communicated these instructions to all regional, district, and upazila election officials across the country.
The directives include 12 specific instructions intended to enhance the efficiency of NID services and reduce citizen suffering. Below is a detailed overview of these guidelines:
Prioritizing Citizen Convenience: The application process for amending NIDs must prioritize reducing citizen suffering. Officers are required to process applications swiftly and efficiently, with a focus on resolving issues rather than creating additional obstacles.
Categorical Disposal of Applications: Officers in charge are authorized to approve or reject applications within their designated categories (A, B, C) without unnecessary delays.
Avoiding Unnecessary Documentation: Even when valid documents like education certificates or birth certificates are provided, officials are instructed not to request additional documents unless absolutely necessary.
Timely Resolution: Applications should not be left pending for extended periods. Responsible officers are expected to settle applications (either approval or cancellation) within 15 working days, following the hearing and verification of submitted documents.
Scheduled Hearings: The guidelines mandate that hearings for all application categories should be conducted twice a week at the field level. These hearings must be completed within 10 working days from the date of issue.
Clear Timelines for Application Processing: The processing times for different categories have been clearly defined:
Category ‘A’: Applications must be processed within 7 working days.
Category ‘B’: Applications must be processed within 15 working days.
Category ‘C’: Applications must be processed within 30 working days.
Referral to Higher Authorities: If Regional Election Officers are unable to resolve the applications under their jurisdiction, they must send the relevant documents, investigation reports, and their clear opinions to the Director General of the National Identity Registration Division for further action. In some cases, applications may be recommended for transfer from ‘C’ category to ‘D’ category, as per existing notifications.
Accountability in Card Management: Responsible officers are required to exercise extreme caution when using their user accounts in the card management system software. The processing of rectification applications will be centrally monitored, and all actions will be logged in the NID central database. Every user is accountable for their activities.
Assistance for Online Applications: Citizens who are unable to apply online should receive necessary assistance from the upazila or police station election offices. The help desk will provide guidance on online application procedures and the required documents for corrections.
Centralized Categorization of Applications: Regional officers must ensure that the categorization of applications is done centrally by the National Identity Registration Division.
The Election Commission’s new directive represents a significant step toward enhancing the efficiency and user-friendliness of the National Identity Card amendment process in Bangladesh.
By reducing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and ensuring that citizens are treated with respect and efficiency, the Commission aims to create a more responsive and citizen-centric service. These changes are expected to bring much-needed relief to those seeking amendments to their identity cards, fostering a more transparent and efficient system overall.
