NID to Be Issued Immediately After Birth – National Identity Card Registration

NID to Be Issued Immediately After Birth – National Identity Card Registration. The National Identity Card Registration Act 2022 is set to revolutionize the way citizens in Bangladesh receive their National Identity Cards (NID). According to the draft of this new law, every citizen will be issued an NID immediately after birth, marking a significant departure from the previous system where individuals applied for their NID upon reaching adulthood.

On October 10, 2022, the draft of the National Identity Card Registration Act 2022 was approved in principle by the Cabinet during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This decision was disclosed by Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam during a press briefing held later that day.

One of the most significant aspects of the new law is that the NID will be issued automatically at birth. This change is expected to streamline various administrative processes and reduce the need for individuals to apply for NIDs upon turning 18.

The Election Commission of Bangladesh will have the option to utilize the information from these NIDs for electoral purposes if it chooses to do so.

Under the new law, the responsibility for issuing and managing NIDs will be transferred to the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, until the law is fully enacted, the Election Commission will continue to oversee the NID process.

The new Act is more concise, reducing the number of sections from 32 in the previous law to 15. Despite this reduction, the essence and purpose of the legislation remain intact. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized that the new law should closely resemble the old one in terms of functionality and impact.

There has been some speculation regarding whether the law will be finalized before the next election. However, the Cabinet Secretary noted that while there hasn’t been a final discussion on this matter, efforts are being made to finalize the law as quickly as possible.

It is anticipated that the draft will return to the Cabinet within a month for further review and potential approval.

The implementation of the law will be guided by specific rules and regulations that are yet to be developed. These rules will outline the processes and procedures for issuing the NID immediately after birth. Once implemented, the NID will serve as a unique identifier for each citizen throughout their lifetime.

The introduction of the NID immediately after birth is expected to offer numerous benefits to citizens. For one, it eliminates the need for individuals to apply for an NID at a later stage in life. This early issuance of the NID will also streamline access to various services that require identity verification, ensuring that all citizens are covered from birth.

However, it is important to note that while the NID will be issued at birth, a citizen will only be eligible to vote upon reaching the age of 18. The NID will thus serve multiple purposes beyond voting, facilitating access to various public and private services.

The transition to this new system will require careful planning and coordination among various government agencies. The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the importance of ensuring inter-operability and avoiding duplication in the registration process.

Additionally, there will be ongoing discussions to develop a comprehensive system that integrates birth registration with the issuance of the NID.

The National Identity Card Registration Act 2022 promises to bring about a significant change in how citizens are registered and identified in Bangladesh.

By issuing NIDs immediately after birth, the government aims to create a more efficient and inclusive system that benefits all citizens from the very beginning of their lives.

The successful implementation of this law will depend on the development of clear rules and regulations, as well as the effective coordination of the relevant government departments.