Experts have voiced objections against an Election Commission move to formulate a new policy on correcting and changing voters’ names on their national identity (NID) cards. Officials at the Election Commission said the measure was taken to “prevent crimes” as criminals frequently change their names and address to dodge arrests. If the draft policy comes into effect, minority groups, especially the Hindus, will have to face hurdles as their naming conventions are heavily influenced by their caste system, said minority leaders and experts. So, if Hindu women cannot change their names after their marriage because of such a policy, most of them might refrain from exercising their franchise, the minority leader added. “We have moved to formulate a policy on changing and correcting the NID card holders’ names, as some people are committing crimes using different names.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 22, 2018 20:26 UTC