Dhaka, Mar 19 (V7N) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has agreed to share the biometric data and database of Rohingya refugees, who were forcibly displaced from Myanmar and sought refuge in Bangladesh, with the Election Commission (EC).
This information was shared by ASM Humayun Kabir, Director General of the National Identity Registration Division, after a meeting with UNHCR representatives at the Election Bhaban in Agargaon on Wednesday.
He said that, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the government and UNHCR, the agency has agreed to share the Rohingya data. This database will be kept by the Election Commission, and a technical team has been formed to determine how it will be used.
Humayun Kabir mentioned that, with the upcoming elections in mind, the Rohingya are attempting to be included in the voter list. Having access to this database will make it easier to identify them and prevent National ID card fraud.
According to UNHCR data, there are over 1 million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. They have agreed to quickly transfer the database, although several meetings will be needed to finalize the process.
Regarding the issuance of passports to Rohingya refugees, he noted that they are no longer confined to the Chattogram region but have spread across the country, making the database even more crucial.
END/MSS/AJ
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