EC lowers NID registration age to 16

The Election Commission of Bangladesh has introduced a change to the rules governing National Identity Card (NID) registration, deciding to bring citizens aged 16 and above under the NID system.

The decision was announced on Sunday (February 22) through a circular issued by the National Identity Registration Wing of the Election Commission Secretariat.

According to the circular, the decision was taken in light of Section 5 of the National Identity Registration Act, 2010 (amended in 2013). Under the new provision, Bangladeshi citizens who have turned or will turn 16 or 17 years of age on the date of application will now be eligible to apply for registration.

The order, signed by Khan Abi Shahanur Khan, Director (Registration and Expatriates) of the National Identity Registration Wing, has been communicated to all regional, district and upazila election offices with instructions to implement it immediately.