EMINENT citizens have said moving of services related to National Identity cards from the Election Commission to the home ministry is contrary to the Constitution. The government can use the national database to monitor the political opponents and harass them more acutely than now and the option for change of government may permanently be sealed. Moreover, without proper discussion, unilateral decision to cut a part of function of the constitutional body is degrading EC’s independence. Already the culture of elections has become dead due to the subservient role of the EC, and submission to the ruling party’s will. Citizens are still struggling to restore democracy but the NID services transfer to the executive may lead to subduing them permanently.
The Prime Minister’s Office in late May instructed the Cabinet Division to take necessary steps to move NID-related services to the Security Services Division under the home ministry. Citizens’ platform Sujon arranged a discussion, where eminent citizens expressed their dissatisfaction and fear over transferring the NID activities. In the 2014 national election, over 150 MPs were elected unopposed and in the 2018 election, voting took place the night before the election day. It seems moving of NID services might lead to adoption of another method for holding the next polls. As the NID cards and the voter list are inter-connected civil society members do not want these services to be under the control of the executive organ of the government. If the NID card and voter database come under the control of the government, it can create a scope for their political use. It also can give the executive scope for inclusion or exclusion of voters in the list.
Opposition politicians will always live under fear of police harassment. Politicians have said the move reflects ill-motive of the government to continue its authoritative rule. As the government is paralysing politics by divide and rule among the opposition forces, there is no organised force now to challenge the establishment. Citizens understand their value when they go to cast their votes.
