EC moves to make NID submission mandatory for recruitment

The Election Commission (EC) has requested several ministries and government agencies to make submission of the national ID (NID) cards mandatory during recruitment.

The commission also demands this requirement to be included within the legal framework involving the public administration.

The initiative is being considered “to streamline the salary and allowances of employees”, said ASM Humayun Kabir, director general of the National Identity Registration Wing.

At a press conference held on Tuesday at the Nirbachan Bhaban, or Election Building, in Dhaka’s Agargaon, he said: “This is already mandatory under the NID law and also in the iBAS (Integrated Budget and Accounting System) scheme. Therefore, all agencies must follow the NID law in recruitment processes.”

The EC secretary held a meeting with representatives from 27 ministries, divisions and government agencies the day before. They discussed the importance of taking NID data “into account” during appointments and how to deal with employees who lack NIDs.

Referring to the progress of Monday’s meeting, Humayun said: “A large portion of those seeking NID corrections at the EC are government employees. Previously, they used to receive their salaries via vouchers. Now, through iBAS, salaries are disbursed based on NID.

“Their livelihoods, salaries, allowances and dependents' maintenance are all connected to this. That’s why it has been made mandatory in iBAS.”

The software “iBAS++” is used to determine the salaries and allowances of government officers and employees.

Humayun added, “Some offices warned that the salary payments would be stopped if the NID is incorrect. After visiting the iBAS and their office for corrections, eventually, they came to us. Even when they reach our office, in many cases, direct corrections cannot be made.”

He added that the meeting was held with departments and agencies tied to employees who did not consider the NID important during their recruitment.

He said, “Since this requirement has yet to be formally included in the legal structure by public administration, it may have been ignored. If it becomes part of the legal framework, this will no longer be the case. Although NID usage is already mandatory under the NID law and iBAS regulations.”

“That’s why we want all agencies to follow the NID law. They (officers at the meeting) also vowed possible arrangements for those whose salaries and allowances are stuck.”