A Supreme Court (SC) verdict has paved the way for both the NID Centre and the EC to move ahead simultaneously. Details about individuals and the documents needed for the electoral roll and for the NID -- also know as smart card -- are similar.[break]
Therefore, the government has decided to introduce the cards in coordination with the ministries concerned and the Election Commission.
According to officials at MoHA, the ministry, with the support of the NID Centre, will start introducing the NID after completing work on the new electoral roll, which will be developed electronically with photos and fingerprints of the eligible voters.
Ending a long-standing dispute over whether or not to make citizenship documents mandatory in the voter registration process, the SC on Monday ordered the EC to register voters only on the basis of the citizenship certificate.
“The newly drafted bill on NID requires one to produce a Nepali citizenship certificate to claim the NID. Following the SC verdict, the EC is expected to register voters on the basis of documentary evidence of citizenship. And we will use EC data for that purpose,” Under Secretary Pralhad Pokharel at MoHA informed Republica.
Following the EC´s decision some four months back to accept documents other than citizenship certificates in the voter registration process, MoHA had decided not to accept EC data for the NID.
The government will start distributing the NID after the EC completes the new electoral roll and the bill is approved by parliament.
The cabinet already gave its nod to introducing the NID Act when it endorsed a bill floated by MoHA.
According to Under Secretary Pokharel, the decision to use EC particulars for the NID will also save dual costs, human resources and technical equipment.
Those 16 years old or above will be eligible for NID cards, as per the newly drafted bill.
“Data to be collected by the EC is expected to be factual and we will have no problem in using such data,” Pokharel added.
As per the commitment expressed in the annual budget speech in July, the cabinet had endorsed a plan to introduce the NID.
“Only personal details and particulars based on evidence of citizenship will be used for the NID. Those failing to show citizenship will not be eligible for NID,” Under Secretary Pokharel said.
According to him, the electronic smart cards will include photos and biometric data of the card holders.
The card, which will gradually replace the traditional citizenship cards, is to be machine-readable, similar to an ATM card.
Related story
APF drafts operational policy to secure upcoming elections
-1765804380.webp)
