35,000 NIDs locked due to software gitch, causing widespread disruption

Around 35,000 citizens’ National Identity Cards (NIDs) remain locked due to software complications in the Election Commission’s (EC) server, leaving the affected people unable to access various government and private services.

As a result, many are facing difficulties carrying out essential tasks, including purchasing SIM cards, opening bank accounts, registering land and renewing passports.

Officials at the EC’s National Identity Registration Wing disclosed the information on Thursday (12 November).

According to Election Commission sources, NIDs have been locked for several reasons, including multiple voter registrations, court orders, ongoing cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and applications from law enforcement agencies.

In cases involving duplicate voter registration, the authorities retain one identity card and cancel the other after verification. Generally, the NID issued first is kept valid, while the subsequently issued one is cancelled. However, officials said each case is reviewed before a final decision is made.

Officials at the NID wing could not specify when the affected identity cards were locked. They said it was difficult to determine the duration of the restrictions for each individual case, given the large number of affected NIDs.

However, the authorities are examining complaints and verifying information provided by citizens who contact the Election Building in Dhaka to resolve the issue.

At present, citizens must visit the EC’s central office to have their NIDs unlocked, causing additional hardship for those living outside Dhaka.

To ease their difficulties, the Election Commission is planning to introduce a system under which NID-related problems can be resolved at the field level rather than requiring citizens to visit its headquarters.