“Citizens will receive national identity cards after 16 years.”

The Election Commission of Bangladesh (EC) has formally decided that all citizens who reach the age of 16 will now be eligible to receive a National Identity Card (NID). The directive was issued on Sunday, 22 February, through an official circular by the NID division of the commission.

The circular cites Section 5 of the National Identity Registration Act, 2010 (amended in 2013), stating that citizens who are 16 or 17 years old on the date of application will now be able to undergo the registration process and receive their NID.

This policy was first indicated during a briefing at the Election Commission Secretariat on 9 September last year, when EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed explained that the commission would start collecting registration data from citizens aged 16, enabling them to obtain their NID ahead of reaching voting age. Once these citizens turn 18, they will automatically be included in the voter list.

“Citizens who have reached 16 can now apply for registration, allowing us to collect preliminary information and issue the NID accordingly,” Akhtar Ahmed said at the briefing.

Highlighting the practical necessity of NIDs for younger citizens, the EC Secretary pointed out several scenarios where the card is essential, including:

Students seeking admission or scholarships abroad

Opening bank accounts

Travelling abroad for medical treatment

Accessing various administrative or financial services

He emphasised that many students face difficulties without an NID, and this new initiative is intended to remove such obstacles. “Citizens aged 16 and above can now apply for registration at the EC. There is no fixed date restriction—anyone who has turned 16 is eligible. Upon reaching 18, they will automatically be registered as voters,” he added.

According to the latest data from the Election Commission, the total number of registered voters in Bangladesh currently stands at 127,711,793.

Age-Based NID and Voter Registration Overview

This move by the EC is expected to streamline the registration process, ensure smoother voter enrolment in the future, and provide younger citizens with access to essential services that require official identification.