Dhaka, Jan. 22 -- The Election Commission has warned against the collection of voters' National Identity Cards (NIDs) during campaigning for the 13th parliamentary elections, calling the practice a punishable offence.

In a notification issued on Thursday, the constitutional body urged voters not to hand over their NIDs in the name of political campaigns and asked all citizens and organisations to strictly follow the electoral code of conduct.

The EC said it has come to the agency's notice that some individuals are collecting voters' personal information and NIDs under the guise of election campaigning, an act it described as illegal under existing laws.

"According to the National Identity Card Registration Act 2010, no one is permitted...