The other day (11.06.07) I was listening to a Live Program on ETV

The other day (11.06.07) I was listening to a Live Program on ETV. The guests were two Election Commissioner –one is Mr. Sohul Hussain and the other is Brig. General (Retd) Shakhawat Hussain.
Few journalists were also allowed to ask question directly to them and there were provision for the public to ask questions directly to the guests. The whole program was moderated by Samina Jaman, a well known media producer.
One interesting question which touched me is why Election Commission is thinking of preparing National ID card rather than Voter ID card for which they are dictated by the constitution. The question was raised by more than one journalists and when mediator connected Justice Naimuddin(once an election Commissioner) he also put forward the same question to the guests.
The fact which came out is that the Election Commission is primarily working for voter list and Voter ID card but data that is collected by the process could be utilized to produce the national ID card. Virtually they are preparing a database which in future will be taken up by the other ministries or other organizations and will be utilized to serve many other purposes. So a national ID card would be produced as a bi-product of the database preparation for the election.
It is said that finger prints of the voters would be taken by ‘bio-matrix’ system and be shown along with the photo in the voter ID card.
This ID card will not only be used in casting votes but may be used in many other purposes-such as in opening bank accounts, in getting passports, in getting license from the trade bodies etc.
As the voter ID card is for the voters who are above the age of 18 years, so initiative will be taken in future by other organizations to complete the ID card for all.
We appreciate the idea. Bangladesh is becoming more digital and more scientific.
Bdoza