File photo: Ex-Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash (retired)
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission (EC) on Monday clarified that a combination of a “system-driven procedure” and “incomplete details” in former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash’s (retired) previous enumeration form led to the notice issued to him during Goa’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls drive.The notice to the 81-year-old Vir Chakra awardee and a 1971 war hero had sparked a social media outcry, with veterans and citizens questioning why such a decorated officer was required to “prove” his identity, and that too in person.
Officials confirmed that the form has now been duly completed, and Admiral Prakash is no longer required to appear.In a clarification, Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) Dr. Medora Ermomilla D’Costa said the Booth Level Officer (BLO) for the Cortalim constituency collected the naval veteran’s form but found it lacked mandatory particulars from previous revisions.The ERO explained, “It was observed that Admiral Prakash’s enumeration form did not contain the mandatory particulars relating to the previous SIR, including the name of the elector, EPIC number, name of the relative, name and number of the assembly constituency, part number, and serial number in the electoral roll.”D’Costa added that in the absence of these details, the Booth Level Officer (BLO) application could not establish an automatic linkage with the existing electoral roll database. “As all the fields pertaining to the previous SIR were left blank, the system categorised the enumeration form under the ‘unmapped’ category,” the clarification mentioned.The official further noted: “As per the standard, system-driven procedure, a hearing notice was automatically generated and issued to enable verification of the elector’s details and ensure due opportunity for confirmation of eligibility.”Admiral Prakash, who has lived in Goa since his 2006 retirement, highlighted on social media the challenges faced by elderly citizens: “I neither need, nor have ever asked for any special privileges… but if the SIR forms are not evoking required info, they should be revised.” He also pointed out that the BLO had visited his home three times and could have requested the missing documents then.(With PTI inputs)
