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Ex-Navy Chief Arun Prakash Urges ECI to Reform Voter Registration Process

Former Indian Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash has publicly urged the Election Commission of India to reform the Summary Revision of electoral rolls. He highlighted personal inconvenience, being asked to appear with his wife at offices 18 km apart on different dates despite multiple BLO visits. His key suggestions include revising the SIR form for clarity, employing trained full-time BLOs, and better publicizing the online document upload option. The veteran also emphasized the need to accommodate citizens like elderly couples and migrant laborers in the electoral process.

Key Points: Admiral Arun Prakash Calls for SIR Form Revision, Better BLOs

  • Revise SIR form for better data
  • Deploy fully trained BLOs
  • Publicize online document upload
  • Consider migrant laborers' challenges
  • Streamline process for elderly citizens
3 min read

Admiral Arun Prakash asks ECI to revise SIR form, deploy trained BLOs

Former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash asks Election Commission to revise voter registration forms, deploy trained officers, and inform public about online options.

"May I point out to @ECIVEEP that... we are an 82/78 yr old couple & have been asked to appear on two different dates 18 km away! - Admiral Arun Prakash"

Panaji, Jan 12

Former Indian Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash on Monday appreciated the outpouring of concern over his SIR-related tribulations, reiterating the need to revise the form for the electoral roll exercise and deploy "fully trained" booth-level officers.

"While I appreciate the outpouring of concern, my rank & service are not relevant & I am bound by EC rules like any other citizen. However, @ECIVEEP needs to consider: (a) revising SIR form to capture more info re 'Occupation' & 'Location at last SIR', etc," said the Goa-based veteran on social media, a day after initiating a debate.

Renewing his suggestions for the Election Commission, he wrote, "For @ECIVEEP (b) Employ full time, fully trained youth as BLOs empowered to interact with citizens & vet docs; (c) INFORM THE PUBLIC that there exists an option to upload docs on EC website; (d) Do not forget the migrant labourer, away from home & unable to produce docs."

A day earlier, the 82-year-old ex-Naval Chief was in anguish over the inconvenient scheduling of his and his wife's appearance in election offices on two different dates as part of the SIR of electoral rolls in Goa.

He said that he and his wife would comply with the EC notices to appear in the election office, but wondered why the BLO, who visited their home thrice, could not ask for the additional information for which the veteran and his wife have now been called to two different Election offices, which are 18 km apart.

Addressing ECI officials, he said that there was a need to revise the SIR forms' format, which, despite three visits by the BLO to his home, could not be filled to the satisfaction of the poll panel.

"May I point out to @ECIVEEP that (a) if the SIR forms are not evoking reqd info they should be revised; (b) the BLO visited us 3 times & could have asked for additional info; (c) we are an 82/78 yr old couple & have been asked to appear on two different dates 18 km away!" said Admiral Arun Prakash.

The former Navy chief held the top post from July 31, 2004, to October 31, 2006 and served as the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from January 31, 2005, to October 31, 2006.

During the 1971 War, he was awarded the Vir Chakra while flying with an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter squadron in Punjab.

His tenure saw many initiatives being launched in the fields of doctrine, strategy, transformation, and foreign maritime cooperation.

After retirement, he served two terms as a member of the National Security Advisory Board and as chairman of the National Maritime Foundation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Respect to Admiral Prakash for highlighting this. Asking an 82-year-old veteran and his wife to travel 18km on separate dates is ridiculous. The process should be citizen-friendly, not a punishment. The online upload option needs massive publicity! 📢
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently moved cities, the voter registration process is a nightmare. The forms are confusing and officials often give contradictory information. Employing trained, full-time BLOs who can actually help would make a world of difference.
A
Aman W
While I agree with most points, we must also acknowledge that ECI manages a massive electorate. Change takes time. However, the specific case of the Admiral shows a clear lack of common sense and empathy in implementation. Hope this triggers reform.
K
Kavya N
His concern for migrant labourers is so important! Crores of our people work far from home and lose their voting rights because of impractical documentation requirements. Democracy should be accessible to all. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
M
Michael C
This is a classic case of a good system being let down by poor execution. The BLO visited three times but couldn't get the info? That's a training failure. Digitizing the process fully and simplifying forms is the way forward for a modern India.

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