Election Commission Addresses Notice to Retired Admiral in Goa Voter Roll Process
The Election Commission clarified on Monday that a notice requiring retired Admiral Arun Prakash to prove his identity in person resulted from a standard system-driven procedure. This notice was part of Goa's ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Officials confirmed that Admiral Prakash has now submitted all necessary documents, paving the way for a swift resolution of the matter.
Quick Resolution Expected for Admiral and His Wife
An officer familiar with the proceedings stated that the issue will likely be settled by Tuesday. This resolution would make the retired Admiral and his wife eligible for inclusion in the final electoral roll for the Cortalim assembly constituency in Goa. The Times of India first reported that Admiral Prakash received this identity verification notice.
System-Driven Procedure Triggered Notice
Electoral registration officer Medora Ermomilla D'Costa explained the situation. The Booth Level Officer for Cortalim constituency collected Prakash's enumeration form but discovered it lacked mandatory details from previous electoral rolls. Specifically, the form did not contain required particulars such as:
- The elector's name
- EPIC number
- Name of relative
- Assembly constituency name and number
- Part number
- Serial number in the electoral roll
This absence of essential identification details led to Prakash and his wife being classified as unmapped voters. The Election Commission could not establish an automatic link between his enumeration form and the 2002 electoral roll. D'Costa emphasized that as per standard procedure, a hearing notice automatically generates and issues to enable verification of elector details and ensure proper opportunity for eligibility confirmation.
Admiral Prakash's Perspective on the Process
The 81-year-old Vir Chakra awardee, celebrated for his role in the 1971 India-Pakistan War, shared his thoughts with TOI. He suggested that if enumeration forms cannot gather required information, they should include more questions about previous residences. Admiral Prakash also recommended that the Election Commission should better train Booth Level Officers and empower them to verify documents and scrutinize enumeration forms thoroughly.
Though Prakash first came to Goa in 1968 and served five postings there, he was stationed at a naval base in another state during 2002. This explains why his name does not appear in Goa's electoral rolls from that year. The retired Admiral has lived in Goa continuously since 2009.
Concerns About Accessibility for Elderly and Migrant Voters
Admiral Prakash highlighted logistical difficulties for elderly citizens required to attend hearings far from their homes. He and his wife will comply with the Election Commission notices to appear at the election office. However, he questioned why the Booth Level Officer, who visited their home three times, could not request the additional information during those visits.
Now the veteran and his wife must travel 18 kilometers to the election office on two separate dates. Prakash expressed particular concern for migrant laborers who face even greater challenges. These workers often lack access to previous electoral rolls from their home states, cannot afford travel for hearings, and sometimes miss additional documents needed for identity proof.
The real victims are migrant labourers who do not have access to previous electoral rolls from their states, cannot afford to travel for hearings, and who sometimes lack additional documents to prove their identity, said Prakash. The Election Commission's job is to empower people to vote, not disenfranchise voters.
He further suggested that the Election Commission of India and Booth Level Officers should better inform voters about the option to upload documents directly on the EC website.
Distinguished Military Career and Post-Retirement Service
During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, Admiral Prakash earned the Vir Chakra while flying with an Indian Air Force fighter squadron in Punjab. He served as Chief of Naval Staff from July 31, 2004, to October 31, 2006, and chaired the Chiefs of Staff Committee from January 31, 2005, to October 31, 2006. Following retirement, he completed two terms as a member of the National Security Advisory Board and served as chairman of the National Maritime Foundation.
