PM Hasina calls for all-out security for citizens’ smart NID data

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the Election Commission to take measures in order to secure the database of citizens at the dawn of introducing 'smart' NID cards.

A smarter Bangladesh

After inaugurating the distribution on Sunday, she said: “It is necessary for the Election Commission to make sure that all the data being gathered are preserved properly.”

 

Citizens have to return their old National ID cards to the authorities upon receiving the new ones. 

 

The smart NID cards will require iris impressions and prints of the holders' 10 fingers. The microchip in the card will carry 31 items of information about the holder of the ID.

 

Emphasising proper security measures for the NID database, the premier said, "I would request the Election Commission to arrange all-out measures to secure the database so that it cannot be misused."

 

"There must be a firewall for digitalisation of each project. Necessary technology must be used in this regard," she said.

 

Hasina provided her iris impression and fingerprints before receiving her smart NID card at Dhaka’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Sunday morning. 

She handed over President Abdul Hamid's new NID card to Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad.

The CEC then gave the PM her new NID card embedded with her biometric details.

 

Later the prime minister distributed the new cards among the players of the national cricket team.