In Chittagong Getting a NID Card Will be More Difficult for Expatriates

In Chittagong Getting a NID Card Will be More Difficult for Expatriates. It is more difficult for expatriates in Chittagong region to register their national identity cards or obtain them because of Rohingyas. A national identity card will be issued once the special committee has recommended it.

According to election commission officials, Rohingyas are scattered throughout Chittagong. The Election Commission has therefore designated 32 areas as special registration areas. A special committee must approve new voter registrations in these areas, which will follow special rules.

Voter Registration Complications

A special registration program is being designed for 32 areas in Chittagong as Rohingyas live in different parts of the city. A citizen in these areas must fill out a special information form, in which some additional information is required. A variety of documents, including the attestation of ward members and councilors, must also be submitted.

After verifying the authenticity of the information, the special committee headed by the Upazila Nirbahi Officer can become a voter. The National Identity Card will therefore take longer to obtain. The process of getting NID will also be delayed for citizens of these areas who are applying for voter registration from abroad.

Through illegal collusion, many Rohingya have been arrested as Bangladeshi citizens by traveling to various countries including the Middle East with passports. This is ruining the country’s reputation.

The Bangladeshi national identity card is not available to Rohingya living in diaspora, so applications for voter registration of the diaspora must also be approved by the special committee.

A special committee has been appointed by the Election Commission (EC) to verify the election results in Cox’s Bazar, Khagrachari, Bandarban, Chittagong, and Rangamati.

There has been a recent launch of a voter registration program by the Bangladeshi government from abroad. Dubai Consulate and Abu Dhabi Embassy have accepted 1524 biometrics to date.

Consequently, the Special Committee must conduct the investigation and verification process as soon as possible to issue national ID cards to Bangladeshi citizens living in the UAE in 32 upazilas/police stations belonging to the Chittagong region special area.

Special Committee to Verify

Voter registration process requires the Special Committee to verify:

A brother/sister’s father/mother’s name must match the applicant’s name on Form-1.
Their father’s name and address in the database of uncles/in-laws matches the grandfather’s name and address in their special information form. It may be necessary to contact their next of kin to confirm their identity.
The Voters List Act, 2009 also requires that a voter be ‘ordinarily resident’ in Bangladesh. The Election Commission should thoroughly investigate anyone claiming habitual residence in those districts.
Persons who claim to be registered based on their own property in the respective districts must provide information on the ownership of the property and other related information.
Marriage certificates and citizenship certificates must be provided to a data collector if the voter registration is based on marriage with a Bangladeshi citizen.
Data collectors require evidence if someone claims to be a voter through another source.

There are more expatriate Bangladeshis in 40 countries where Bangladesh wants to register NIDs (Voters). The Rohingya issue in Chittagong will cause some delay and irony in getting national identity cards for many expatriates.

Conclusion

The Rohingya presence in Chittagong complicates voter registration and NID issuance for expatriates due to additional verification processes. A special committee must approve new registrations, resulting in delays for citizens, especially those applying from abroad.