The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh revealed on Thursday that displaced Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution in Myanmar and took shelter in Cox’s Bazar, have been attempting to acquire National Identity (NID) cards from election offices across the country.

The EC stated, "It has recently come to light that Rohingyas are engaging in unlawful attempts to collect NIDs from various district and upazila election offices."

Under Article 7(1)(Ka) of the Electoral Rolls Act, 2009, only Bangladeshi citizens are eligible to be included in the voter lists, the commission emphasized. However, certain individuals and broker networks within Bangladesh are reportedly assisting Rohingyas in becoming voters, an offence punishable under both the Electoral Rolls Act, 2009, and the National Identity Registration Act, 2010.

In response, the Election Commission urged citizens to report any such activities to upazila, district, or regional election offices, or to the EC Secretariat, to prevent misuse of the NID system.

BOB Post