The interim government has initiated a fresh move to consolidate various civic services, including birth registration and national identity registration, under a single entity named the "Civil Registration Commission."
This decision has caused frustration among Election Commission officials.
On Monday, an inter-ministerial committee meeting was held in the Cabinet Division to review the draft of the Civil Registration (Commission) Ordinance, 2025.
A representative from the EC Secretariat was also present at the additional secretary-level meeting.
Regarding the move, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Tuesday said that the Election Commission will submit a written opinion to the government on the matter.
“We will formally communicate our concerns in writing. We will outline the potential problems, and they (the government) will not proceed without consulting us,” he told reporters at his office in the capital.
The CEC mentioned that he had heard the government was considering ways to centralize all citizen services under a single authority or entity.
However, he emphasized that NID registration must remain under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission.
Speaking about Monday’s meeting on the draft ordinance, he noted that the EC presented its views through its representatives. However, the government has yet to make a final decision.
“I believe our opinions will be taken into consideration by the government,” said CEC Nasir Uddin.
Acknowledging concerns among EC officials and employees, he said that there is a sense of disappointment among them, as they believe this move could create challenges in the future.
In response to a question, the CEC reiterated that NID services must remain under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission.
Earlier on Tuesday, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said that the Cabinet Division has initiated discussions on expanding the NID service structure.
“Discussions are currently underway in the Cabinet Division,” he told reporters at Nirbachan Bhaban in the capital.
The EC secretary refrained from commenting further, saying: “I do not have clear information regarding the transfer of NID services from the Election Commission Secretariat.”
Previously, the Awami League government enacted the National Identity Registration Act, 2023, transferring national identity registration operations from the Election Commission to the Security Services Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
However, following the July mass uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ousting, the Election Commission Secretariat has written to the interim government, requesting the repeal of the law.