Staff Correspondent, Bogura:
People seeking new voter registration and National Identity Card (NID) services at the Dhunat Upazila Election Office in Bogura have reported significant difficulties, including repeated delays, administrative complications, and alleged mistreatment by some staff members.
Service seekers have expressed frustration over having to visit the office repeatedly without receiving the services they need. They allege that employees frequently raise new issues with their applications, ask them to return the following day, or inform them that the responsible officer is unavailable.
According to several applicants, even those who arrive with the necessary documents are often forced to make multiple visits before their applications can be processed. These repeated delays have caused considerable inconvenience, wasting both time and money.
One applicant, who requested anonymity, described having to visit the election office for several days before finally obtaining a National Identity Card.
“I had to visit the office day after day just to get a National Identity Card. Every day, they came up with a new problem and told me to return the next day. Eventually, I received my NID, but I saw many others still waiting outside, facing similar difficulties,” the applicant said.
There are also allegations that some employees prevent frustrated applicants from approaching senior officials directly to discuss their concerns.
According to the complainants, certain staff members have allegedly reprimanded applicants and ordered them to leave the office when they attempted to raise their grievances with higher authorities.
Senior Official Praised Despite Complaints Against Other Staff
Despite the allegations of misconduct against some election office employees, a senior official received praise from at least one applicant for his professional and respectful treatment of the public.
The applicant said the official listened carefully to people’s concerns, explained the procedures clearly, and treated visitors with patience and courtesy.
His approach reportedly earned appreciation from several people present at the office.
However, the applicant described the behavior of some lower-ranking employees as markedly different, alleging that their lack of cooperation and discourteous treatment had contributed to unnecessary difficulties for ordinary citizens.
Election Office Employee Disconnects Call When Contacted for Comment
An employee of the Dhunat Upazila Election Office was contacted by telephone to seek a response to the allegations.
Although the employee initially spoke for a short period, he later claimed that he could not hear the caller and subsequently disconnected the call.
As a result, a detailed response to the allegations could not be obtained from the employee.
Applicants Demand Improved Services and an End to Harassment
A National Identity Card is an essential document for citizens in Bangladesh, required for numerous activities, including opening bank accounts and accessing various government and private services.
Consequently, prolonged delays in voter registration and NID-related services can create significant difficulties in people’s daily lives.
Applicants have called on the authorities to simplify procedures, ensure greater transparency, improve staff conduct, and eliminate unnecessary administrative harassment at the Dhunat Upazila Election Office.
They have also demanded that services be delivered within reasonable time frames and that employees treat every applicant with dignity and respect.
Residents seeking these services hope that the authorities will take appropriate measures to address the complaints and ensure that citizens no longer have to spend days visiting the election office for routine administrative services.
They emphasized that obtaining a National Identity Card should not become a prolonged and frustrating experience and that every citizen deserves fair, efficient, and respectful treatment when accessing public services.
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