The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) has officially decided to issue National Identity (NID) cards to citizens once they reach the age of 16. This policy, aimed at facilitating early registration for younger citizens, was formalised through an NID sub-division circular released on Sunday, 22 February.
According to the circular, “Under Section 5 of the National Identity Registration Act, 2010 (as amended in 2013), the Commission has authorised the registration of Bangladeshi citizens who have attained, or will soon attain, the age of 16 or 17 at the time of application.”
This move follows an earlier announcement on 9 September, when EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed, during a briefing at the Election Commission Secretariat, outlined the new approach. He confirmed that citizens aged 16 could now register for the NID, and once they reach 18, they would be automatically included in the voter list. He stated:
“Those who have reached 16 can register now. This allows us to collect preliminary information in advance. They will receive their NID accordingly.”
The necessity of providing NIDs to younger citizens was emphasised by Secretary Ahmed, who highlighted its practical applications. Many students require the NID for purposes such as studying abroad, opening bank accounts, and accessing medical services overseas, among other routine transactions.
“Students without an NID face difficulties in multiple areas. Therefore, citizens aged 16 and above are now eligible to obtain an NID. They can apply to the EC at any time once they reach 16. There is no fixed date. Upon reaching the voting age of 18, they will automatically be enrolled in the voter list,” he added.
The latest statistics from the EC indicate that Bangladesh currently has a total of 127,711,793 registered voters, reflecting a steadily growing electorate.
Key Registration Details
| Eligibility Age | Registration Purpose | Voting Inclusion Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16+ | Obtain NID | 18 | Allows advance registration; no fixed application date |
| 17 | Obtain NID | 18 | Same as above; ensures smoother transition to voter list |
| 18+ | Obtain NID & vote | Automatic | Automatically added to voter list upon reaching voting age |
This initiative is expected to streamline the registration process, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and provide younger citizens with essential identification for both domestic and international purposes.