e-News® | The NEWS Company…DHAKA, Oct 10, 2015 : The Election Commission (EC) will hand over smart National Identity (NID) cards to 9.62 crore voters by June next year. “We are working with an objective of giving smartcards to voters on the Independence Day on March 26 (2016). If we fail, we will at least start distribution of smartcards on that day by handing over symbolic cards” Secretary of EC Secretariat M Sirajul Islam told #thenewscompany. EC earlier signed a contract with a French company for manufacturing and distributing nine crore smartcards. The duration of Taka 796.26-crore contract will end in June 2016.
EC sources said before making smart cards chances have been given to all to correct mistakes in NIDs. To correct any information in NID, one can collect prescribed forms from thana or upazila election office and apply for the correction by October 3. The application form will have to be furnished with necessary documents and Taka 200 in treasury chalan or pay order. The money could be deposited through Sonali, Trust and Dutch-Bangla banks. Besides, the form could be downloaded from the websites – www.ec.org/ www.nidw.gov.bd. Besides, information of a voter could be checked after logging in those websites.
M Sirajul Islam said the process of opening upazila server stations is going on. After the installation of necessary machinery, the voters will get the facilities in their respective areas. EC NID section chief Brig Gen Sultanuzzaman M. Salehuddin said the voters would be able to see his/her data online from now on. If anyone turns 18, he or she can become a voter by giving necessary information online. One can also apply online for changing his/ her photo, signature or fingerprint. Online applications are also received for replacement of NID cards in the cases of damage or loss.
To maintain security of smartcards, 25 international certifications and standards have been ensured. Though there is a tendency of forging the existing NIDs, it would not be possible to forge the smartcards. The microchips in smartcards will contain all information of a citizen. All online government facilities, including applying for jobs online, opening bank accounts, making passports and e-governance, could be availed through the smartcards.
