Dhaka, Feb. 10 -- In its preliminary investigation, the Election Commission (EC) has found evidence that five institutions using NID services leaked information to third parties.

EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed disclosed this while speaking to reporters after a views-exchange meeting with institutions receiving NID verification services at Nirbachan Bhaban on Tuesday.

The five accused are the Director General of Health Services, UCB Bank's Upay, the Chittagong Port Authority, Department of Women Affairs and IBAS of the Finance Ministry.

"These institutions have been asked to show cause. An investigation is underway to determine whether this occurred due to negligence or was done intentionally. If anyone has done this on his or her own...