Dhaka:The Election Commission (EC) has achieved substantial progress in addressing National Identity Card (NID) correction requests. It has settled 6,442,832 applications out of a total of 6,570,842 received.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, despite the progress, 128,010 applications remain pending, and 1,355,157 have been rejected for various reasons, based on data from the EC's National Identity Registration Wing as of October 18.
The EC is now prioritizing the acceleration of pending application disposal, eliminating unjustified requests, and preventing fraudulent activities. Measures include setting deadlines for processing applications, expanding the authority of officials at local levels, and enhancing monitoring by senior officials.
Applications submitted up to 2024 have been processed, while those received in 2025 are nearing completion. However, a monthly influx of 80,000 to 90,000 new applications contributes to the backlog, which includes non-qualifying requests and repeated applications under different categories.
Significant regional variation exists in pending applications, with notable numbers in Dhaka, Cumilla, and other districts. The EC is focusing on region-specific monitoring and management to ensure timely application processing.
To facilitate NID correction services, the EC has introduced specific deadlines and expanded the scope for processing at local levels. Senior management and directors are regularly monitoring the progress.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed emphasized the importance of accuracy in voter registration to minimize future correction needs. Applications lacking reasonable grounds are being scrutinized and rejected within set timeframes.
The EC has also enhanced monitoring of date-of-birth corrections, emphasizing online-verifiable educational certificates. A circular mandates regional officers to oversee and report on application processing.
Director Md Saiful Islam noted that many applications are ineligible for correction, with age discrepancies often leading to rejections. The EC is conducting media campaigns to raise awareness about NID-related fraud and exploring technology-based systems to prevent such activities.
Despite the challenges, the EC aims to clear the remaining backlog and build a more accurate national identity registration system.