Smart NID distribution begins in districts

District level Smart National ID card (Smart NID) distribution began on Friday, with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) KM Nurul Huda inaugurating the programme through video conference from the Election Commission Headquarters at Dhaka’s Agargaon. Election commissioners Mahbub Talukder, Rafiqul Islam, Kabita Khanam and Brigadier General (Retd) Shahdat Hossain Chowdhury, Acting Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat Helaluddin Ahmed, Director General of the NID Registration Wing of the EC Mohammad Saidul Islam and senior officials of the EC were present, among others. In the first phase, the Smart NID distribution programme will be implemented in 27 districts. Sources said the EC aims to provide Smart NIDs to all citizens by December, 2018. The Smart NIDs will be distributed at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sharitpur Sadar, Rangamati Sadar, Bandarban Sadar, Khaghrachari Sadar, Cox's Bazar Sadar, Pirojpur Sadar, Patuakhali Sadar, Jhalakathi Sadar, Borguna Sadar, Meherpur Sadar, Bagerhat Sadar, Narail Sadar, Habiganj Sadar, Sunamganj Sadar, Bogra Sadar, Joypurhat Sadar, Pabna Sadar, Netrakona Sadar, Kurigram Sadar, Lalmonirhat Sadar, Panchagar Sadar, Gaibandha Sadar, Nilphamari Sadar, Dinajpur Sadar, Thakurgaon Sadar and Noakhali Sadar. Currently, the programme is running in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet and Comilla city corporations. In addition, the Smart NIDs will be distributed in Savar on November 22, Narayanganj city on November 26 and Gazipur on November 28, sources said.