Admiral Arun Prakash Responds to Election Commission's Identity Verification Notice

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash (retd), requesting his presence to establish his identity as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Admiral Prakash, who has resided in Goa since his retirement, has expressed concerns regarding the SIR process, particularly the need for verification despite having submitted the required forms.

The Hindu

Admiral Prakash has been categorized as “unmapped” in the electoral rolls, with officials indicating that his details have not been updated since 2002. South Goa District Returning Officer Egna Cleetus confirmed that the SIR team would review his enumeration form and reach out to him for further clarification. The notice has prompted discussions on social media, with users questioning the necessity of additional verification given that Prakash's Pension Payment Order (PPO) and life certificate are already accessible in government databases.

The Hindu

In response to the notice, Admiral Prakash stated on social media, “I neither need, nor have ever asked for any special privileges since retirement 20 yrs ago. My wife and I had filled the SIR forms as required and were pleased to see our names figure in the Goa Draft Electoral Roll 2026 on the EC website. We will, however, comply with EC notice.” He further emphasized that if the SIR forms are not yielding the required information, they should be revised.

The Hindu

Admiral Prakash raised additional concerns regarding the SIR process, noting that the Booth Level Officer (BLO) had visited their residence three times without requesting further information. He highlighted the inconvenience faced by elderly citizens, stating, “we are an 82/78 yr old couple and have been asked to appear on 2 different dates 18 km away.”

The Hindu

Responses from social media users included suggestions that the SIR team could have accessed the necessary information electronically rather than requiring in-person verification. Retired Lt Col T S Anand remarked that while software issues may have contributed to the situation, citizens should be able to present their documentation without undue burden.

The Hindu

This incident raises broader questions about the efficiency and accessibility of the electoral roll revision process in India, particularly for senior citizens. The requirement for in-person verification may disproportionately affect elderly individuals who may struggle with travel and the bureaucratic demands of the electoral system.

The Hindu

• “I neither need, nor have ever asked for any special privileges since retirement 20 yrs ago. My wife and I had filled the SIR forms as reqd (required) and were pleased to see our names figures in the Goa Draft Electoral Roll 2026 on the EC website. We will, however, comply with EC notice.” — Admiral Arun Prakash

The Hindu

• “His, YOURS and mine, PPO and life certificate is already on the Govt database. What more is needed by the SIR team than punch a few keys on the keyboard and access proof? Commonsense is missing, that is what is wrong!!” — Social Media User @LancerFlying

The Hindu

This situation underscores the need for the ECI to streamline its processes to better accommodate the needs of all citizens, particularly those who are elderly or face mobility challenges.

The Hindu