EC warns of punitive action over collection of voter ID cards

Staff Reporter :

The Election Commission (EC) has issued a stern warning that punitive action will be taken against anyone found collecting voters’ National Identity Cards (NIDs) ahead of the referendum and parliamentary elections.

The Commission in a press release sent to the media on Thursday said it had taken note of reports that some individuals were collecting voters’ personal information and NID cards under the guise of election campaigning.

According to the statement, sent by EC Public Relations Director Md Ruhul Amin Mallik, the National Identity Registration Act 2010 strictly prohibits carrying or transferring another person’s NID card. Any violation of this law will invite legal consequences.

The commission also cited Rule 4 of the Code of Conduct for Political Parties and Candidates in Parliamentary Elections, 2025, which bars any political party, candidate, or their representatives from offering or promising donations, contributions, or gifts to individuals, groups, or institutions within an electoral constituency.

Such activities, the EC said, constitute punishable offences under the law.
The Election Commission has called upon all citizens and organisations to refrain from engaging in these activities and to comply fully with electoral laws and regulations.

The warning comes amid recent allegations by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has lodged a complaint accusing Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami of collecting voters’ NID cards under the pretext of election campaigning.
The parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on 12 February.