The problems with NID database

An article titled 'Prudent use of photo ID is necessary' was published in the Financial Express on January 26, 2019. Author Asjadul Kibria nicely discussed various uses of photo ID and its necessity in everyday life. Here I would like to add some points.

Over the past few years, uses of National Identity (NID) Card have increased significantly, especially in the banking sector. While opening a new account, the banks have to verify NID from the server of the National Election Commission as per requirement of the Bangladesh Bank. Every bank is supposed to have access to the server. But the fact is that some times, the banks cannot access the national database server properly. This situation can linger for two to three days disrupting the service of the banks. The clients do not want to understand the reasons behind the delay as they prefer quick services.

A backup server of the NID database is very necessary to provide uninterrupted services to users.

Many walk-in customers enter the bank premises everyday, especially for on-line deposit and withdrawal and spot cash remittance services. During these situations, due to the lack of uninterrupted access to the Election Commission database server, the banks cannot verify NIDs and provide these services in the shortest time.

At times, banks receive fake NIDs. Fraud and forgery is a common issue related with fake NID in the banking arena.

Often clients claim that they have rectified an error in information of their NID. But while verifying the NID information in the national database, at times it is found that the errors are still there in the database.

Also, citizens who registered for the NID for the first time, their NID photographs are usually unrecognisable.

I urge the authority concerned to solve these problems as soon as possible.

Md. Zillur Rahaman

Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited

Lalmohan Branch, Bhola.

[email protected]