BSS :
Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, said everyone has the right to personal identity as having an identity is a fundamental human right which allows each individual the ability to enjoy all of their rights.
She said the Election Commission has realized the need to integrate the marginalized sections of the society and to establish a society based on basic human rights and equality, which is a timely, diverse and important initiative.
She said this on Thursday while addressing a workshop on ‘Eliminating Complications in Registering Names of Unknown Parents in Voters’ List’ as the chief guest organized by the Election Commission of Bangladesh at city hotel.
The Speaker said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working for inclusive economic development with utmost priority. The preparation of voter list and national identity card in digital form since 2008 is an important achievement of the Election Commission, he added.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said the Demographic and Biometric Database has been created by the Election Commission which is being used for all public and private purposes in the country.
In order to ensure inclusive development, it is important to include backward marginalized groups in this database, she said.
The Speaker said financial and other assistance has been provided to the needy people in remote areas using the Election Commission’s database during the Kovid period.
“This has been made possible by the efficient presentation and preservation of information. Social security zone activities like disability allowance, widow allowance etc. are based on the database of the Election Commission,” she added.
This database needs to be further enriched by including all marginalized groups including disabled, transgender, tea-workers, she said, adding, birth registration and national identity cards are now being used for all purposes.
The Speaker hoped that the complexity of the marginalized population would be resolved through the registration of the identity of the parents.
Election Commission Secretary Humayun Kabir Khandaker presided over the workshop.
Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda, Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder, Election Commissioner Md Rafiqul Islam, Election Commissioner Kabita Khanam and Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury poke on the occasion.
