Ensure security of data being used for smart NID cards: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today asked the Election Commission to ensure the security of the data being used for preparing smart national identity (NID) cards, saying that there should have firewall in such a digital project to check forgery.

"I would like to request the Election Commission to ensure security of the data being used for preparing smart national identity cards ... there should have firewall and all kinds of security in every digital project so that none can misuse it," she said.

Sheikh Hasina added: "There are adequate technologies in the country and it's very much necessary to use those technologies to check forgery in using the smart NID cards."

The premier said this while inaugurating the distribution of the smart NID cards as the chief guest at a function at Osmani Memorial Hall in the city this morning.

The Election Commission launched distribution of much-awaited machine-readable smart national identity (NID) cards among 10 crore citizens, replacing the existing paper-laminated cards, BSS reports.

Sheikh Hasina formally opened the smart NID card distribution by handing over the smart NID card of President Abdul Hamid to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed.

Later, the CEC handed over the smart NID card of the prime minister to her. After that Sheikh Hasina distributed smart NID cards to members of the national cricket team including skipper and Brand Ambassador of smart NID cards Mashrafee Bin Mortuza and ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan.

Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmed was present at the function as the special guest, while Election Commission Secretariat Secretary Md Sirajul Islam delivered the welcome address.

World Bank Country Director Qimiao Fan spoke and Project Director of Identification System for Enhancing Accesses to Services Brigadier General Sultanuzzaman Md Saleh Uddin gave a short presentation on the smart NID cards.

Ministers, PM's advisers, parliament members, foreign diplomats, ex-CECs and election commissioners, civil society members, members of the national cricket team and high civil and military officials were present at the function.



The prime minister also directed the Election Commission to stay more alert against duplicating the smart NID cards. "The smart NID cards are being prepared with the world's latest technologies and I hope that preparing counterfeit cards won't be possible in any way," she said.

Sheikh Hasina hoped that with the providing of the smart NID cards to all citizens, a revolutionary change would take place in receiving government services. "Cheating and forgery would come down with the introduction smart NID cards and none would be spared after committing crimes," she said.

The prime minister said her government has taken a firm stance against terrorism and militancy and it won't allow emergence of militancy in the country.

She said that the smart NID cards would play an important role in identifying and arresting those who are engaged in militancy as well as anti-social activities.

"Hunting down and nabbing any type of criminal would be very easier through this card ... So I think its more secure and multipurpose use would be possible," she said


The premier said the database of the national ID cards and smart national ID cards have received certificates of the international attestation authority and it (card) would be treated as the international standard national ID card including travel card.

"The card would ensure state and social services and facilities for the citizens side by side with their identity," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government and non-government organizations could scrutinize the identity of the citizens properly through both online and offline.

She said her government wants that all citizens would receive the cards easily and none become a victim of unnecessary harassment. "Our aim is to build Digital Bangladesh and we want to present a better life to all through modern technologies," she said.

Reiterating her government's steadfast commitment to establish Bangladesh as middle income country by 2021 and developed and prosperous one by 2041, Sheikh Hasina said the country wants to move ahead by keeping its head high not begging to others.

The premier said the distribution of smart NID cards that began today will further enhance the dignity of the country. "We are going to upgrade as a developed nation with the distribution of smart NID cards," she said, congratulating all concerned involved in this project.

Election Commissioner M Shah Newaz earlier told BSS that the EC would collect biometric details, impression of 10 fingers and picture of iris of the card holders during the distribution of smart cards.

For being machine readable the smart cards have additional safety measures against forgery.

The distribution of NID cards will begin in two city corporations in Dhaka and in now-defunct Dashiarchhara enclave in Fulbari upazila in Kurigram from tomorrow. Then smart cards would be distributed at upazila, municipality, union and ward levels in phases.

EC officials said the number of voters in the country is about 10 crore at present. A total of 8 crore 10 lakh 58 thousand and 698 citizens got laminated NID cards eight years ago for the first time. But some unscrupulous people are forging those cards. The machine-readable smart cards will prevent this forgery.

To maintain security of the smart cards, 25 international certifications and standards have been ensured. The microchips in smart cards will contain all information of a citizen.

The card holders will get 22 types of services, including banking, TIN, driving license and passport.

Following are the salient features of the smart NID cards:

Twenty security characteristics have been added to three tiers, while international standard and reliability of the smart NID cards have been ensured.

Five-tier 100 percent polycarbonate elements have been used and it would sustain at least 10 years.

The personal information has been showed through laser engraving which is not possible in general printers, and transparent hologram has been incorporated in it for more security.

All information of a person exists in the added chip, and biometrics and photos have been preserved in electronic format. Besides, running of different apps would be possible through this chip.

A 10-digit random generated unique number has been introduced and chip, 2D barcode and machine readable zone (MRZ) has been kept for using information. Data has been developed as per the compliance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) which is internationally acceptable.

EC officials said though the smart NID cards would be given free of cost, the cardholder will have to pay a fixed amount of money if he or she goes to collect a new one after losing it twice.