Over 13,000 Voters in Lalmai Refuse Smart ID Cards Due to Address Discrepancy
Over 13,000 Voters in Lalmai Refuse Smart ID Cards Due to Address Discrepancy. In the evolving landscape of electoral administration in Bangladesh, a significant issue has emerged in Lalmai Upazila, Comilla.
The Bangladeshi Election Commission has confirmed that approximately 13,000 smart national identity cards are still unclaimed. These cards are lying idle at the Comilla regional election office, primarily due to an unresolved issue related to address mismatches following the creation of Lalmai as a new administrative unit.
Why Voters Are Refusing Smart ID Cards?
The root of this crisis traces back to 2019 when Lalmai Upazila was formed, merging nine unions from Comilla Sadar Dakshin and one from Laksam Upazila. However, despite this administrative change, the smart NID cards issued still carry the names of the old upazilas—either Sadar Dakshin or Laksam—instead of reflecting the updated Lalmai Upazila.
This discrepancy has led to widespread discontent among the voters. Understandably, the residents are unwilling to accept smart ID cards with outdated addresses, fearing complications in official documentation, banking, property registration, and other essential services.
Timeline of the Issue
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Lalmai Upazila was established |
| 2019 | Smart ID printing continued with outdated addresses |
| Jan 2020 | 12,882 smart cards transferred to Lalmai Election Office |
| April 2025 | EC meeting acknowledged the issue without a solution |
Despite the cards being moved to the Lalmai Upazila Election Office in January 2020, distribution halted due to the mismatched upazila address—Comilla Sadar South instead of Lalmai. As of May 2025, these smart cards still await proper resolution and delivery.
Statement from EC Authorities
According to AKM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Card Division, the confusion stems from the creation of Lalmai using segments from other administrative regions. He remarked,
“A new upazila called Lalmai was formed with areas from Sadar Dakshin, a part of Comilla City, and Laksam. Due to this realignment, the printed smart cards became outdated in terms of address.”
When asked why voters are refusing to collect the cards, he added:
“It is their personal decision. If someone chooses not to take their smart ID card, we cannot force them. However, anyone in need can apply for a reissue of the smart card by paying the necessary service fee.”
No Immediate Solution Yet
This long-standing issue was again raised during the April 2025 coordination meeting of the Election Commission. It was recorded in paragraph 10.5 of the official minutes, but still, no concrete solution has been implemented. The matter remains confined to bureaucratic letter exchanges between Agargaon and Comilla offices, causing frustration among affected residents.
Impact on the Electoral Process and Civic Services
The failure to distribute these smart cards impacts more than just identification. It hinders:
- Voter verification and participation
- Access to banking and government services
- Property registration and passport applications
Lalmai Upazila residents find themselves in a state of bureaucratic uncertainty, as their official identity fails to align with their administrative reality. This mismatch affects not only their voting rights but also their day-to-day official transactions.
What Needs to Be Done?
To resolve this issue effectively, the Bangladesh Election Commission should consider:
- Issuing revised smart cards with corrected Lalmai addresses
- Launching a re-registration or data update campaign
- Simplifying the card correction fee structure for affected citizens
- Enhancing local awareness about card reissue procedures
Conclusion
The case of 13,000 unclaimed smart ID cards in Lalmai serves as a poignant illustration of the challenges in updating national databases following administrative restructuring. While the Lalmai Upazila formation was a positive step toward local governance, it has unintentionally caused complications in identity documentation.
