EC plans mandatory NID renewal every 15 years

Election Commission (EC) is planning to make the renewal of National Identity Cards (NIDs) mandatory every 15 years in a move aimed at keeping citizens' identification records accurate and up to date.

Although the existing law allows cardholders to renew their NIDs after the 15-year validity period, renewal is currently optional. The EC is now working to introduce a mandatory renewal system to ensure biometric and personal information remains current.

Election Commission officials said significant changes can occur in an individual's appearance, fingerprints and other physical characteristics over a 15-year period. Factors such as major surgeries, gender transition or other permanent physical changes may also affect identity verification, making periodic updates necessary.

Under the National Identity Registration Act, 2010, an NID remains valid for 15 years from the date of issuance. The law already permits citizens to apply for renewal before or after expiry upon payment of the prescribed fee, while the relevant rules outline both online and in-person application procedures.

Currently, the renewal fee is set at Tk 100 for regular applications and Tk 150 for urgent processing. Regular renewal applications are processed within 30 days, while urgent requests are expected to be completed within seven days.

Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the proposal to make NID renewal compulsory is currently being processed. He noted that citizens can already renew their cards or obtain updated versions whenever necessary under the existing system.

Meanwhile, AHM Anwar Pasha, director general of the National Identity Registration Wing, said the proposal remains under review. He added that the Commission will take a final decision after evaluating its legal, technical and administrative implications.

If approved, the initiative will require citizens to update their National Identity Cards at fixed intervals, a move officials believe will strengthen the country's identity verification system and improve the accuracy of the national database.