Noman Mosharef :
Dual voters (Bangladesh and other countries’ citizens) have been faced various suffering in getting the National Identity Cards (NIDs) and to become a voter.
The Election Commission (EC) has issued directives to field level officials to lessen the suffering and to give NID easily and enlist themselves in voter list of dual voters.
According to The Bangladesh Citizenship (Temporary provisions) Order, 1972 (P.0, No. 149 of 1972)’s Article 2B (2), the Bangladeshis those who accepted the citizenship of United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA), Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, South Korea and Japan and during oath ceremony if they did not leave the Bangladeshi citizenship then it will remain. These countries’ citizens will not need to take dual citizenship certificate.
The same law is applicable for those who have accepted the citizenship of Australia and New Zealand.
Under The Bangladesh Citizenship (Temporary provisions) Order, 1978’s Rule 4’s sub-rule (1A) those who got Bangladeshi citizenship by marital system, they have to submit the Ministry of Home Affairs’ issued citizenship certificate to enlist his/her name in voter list.
Replying to a query, NID Wing Director General (DG) A K M Humayun Kabir said there is a circular issued by Security Services Division of Ministry of Home Affairs over the issue. Those who did not leave the Bangladeshi citizenship, they do not need to dual citizenship certificate for enlisting themselves in voter list.
When asked how officials will know applicant citizenship status, NID Wing DG said the voters need to be asked about this. If he gives an affidavit, then it must be understood that he has not renounced his citizenship. If there is still a suspicion, the Security Services Division of Ministry of Home Affairs will be consulted to be sure.
