Bangladeshis aged at least 16 eligible for National ID, says EC official

Those aged 16 and above can now apply for registration, he says

The Election Commission (EC) will now take registration information from citizens who are 16 years old or above to provide them with a National Identity (NID) card, according to EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed.

Once these individuals turn 18, they will be automatically registered on the voter list, he said during a briefing at the EC headquarters on Tuesday.

He added, "Those who are 16 years old can now register. This will allow us to keep some advanced information. They will receive an NID."

Highlighting the need for an NID for this age group, he said: "They need an NID for many purposes, such as students going abroad for studies, opening bank accounts, travelling abroad for medical treatment, and various other minor tasks. The NID becomes relevant in these situations."

Citizens who are 18 or older are currently registered on the voter list and are given advanced NIDs or smart cards.