The Election Commission (EC) has issued strict instructions to prevent Rohingyas from illegally obtaining various citizenship benefits and registering National Identity Cards (NIDs).
The directive was given at a virtual view exchange meeting chaired by Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury on Wednesday (November 4). The 4-hour virtual meeting started at 11 am and lasts till 3 pm.
On the occasion, Director General Brigadier General Md. Saidul Islam presented a step-by-step video presentation on behalf of the National Identity Registration Division to the voter list and NID. He urged the concerned departments and agencies to be vigilant in issuing certificates so that Rohingyas are not included in the voters' list.
In case of new application in 32 special areas inhabited by Rohingya, registration of parents with NID birth certificate, citizen certificate, educational qualification, filling up of special form and signature of grandparents, presentation to special committee, verification and selection by special committee, registration and preparation of list of eligible citizens. He said the voter list was prepared at the end of the data uploading process.
In the virtual meeting, the birth and death registration authorities involved in the national identity registration process, representatives of the Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, people's representatives of 32 special areas inhabited by Rohingyas, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, Deputy Commissioners and Divisional Commissioners, police, RAB, BGB, passport and various Intelligence agencies attended the meeting. Speakers at the event agreed that all individuals and organizations should work together to ensure that Rohingyas are not included in the voter list and cannot collect national identity cards.
Commissioner of the Election Commission Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury said that the country should not give priority to the interests of individuals and groups. They must be careful.
Speakers at the meeting organized by the National Identity Registration Division of the Election Commission said that Rohingyas would not be able to get birth registration certificates, citizenship certificates or national identity cards or passports if all concerned agencies and authorities were aware.