Admiral Arun Prakash, a former Chief of the Indian Navy and a 1971 war veteran, has been issued a notice by the Election Commission asking him to personally appear with documents to verify his identity under Goa’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The development has triggered strong reactions from veterans, who have questioned the manner in which the verification process is being implemented.
According to the notice sent by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Admiral Prakash has been asked to appear before the Electoral Registration Officer of the Cortalim constituency on January 17, while his wife, Kumkum Prakash, has been summoned on January 19. The notice states that verification is required to establish identity and voter details before their names can be retained in the electoral roll.
Admiral Prakash, one of India’s most respected naval officers and a decorated naval aviator who flew combat missions from INS Vikrant during the 1971 India–Pakistan war, expressed surprise at the notice. He noted that he first came to Goa in 1968, had multiple postings in the state, and has been a permanent resident since 2009. He also pointed out that both he and his wife had duly filled all SIR forms on time and were satisfied to see their names reflected in the draft electoral roll for 2026.
While stating that he would fully comply with the notice and did not wish to confront the authorities, Admiral Prakash highlighted practical concerns. He questioned why additional information was being sought despite multiple visits by Booth Level Officers to his residence, and suggested that if forms were inadequate, their design should be reviewed. He also flagged the inconvenience caused to elderly citizens—he is 82 and his wife 78—by being asked to travel separately to an election office nearly 18 km away.
The issue has resonated widely among veterans. Just days earlier, Kargil war veteran and South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes had reportedly received a similar notice. Several retired officers have argued that while SIR is a lawful and routine process, its implementation should be more sensitive, especially for senior citizens and former service personnel.
Veterans have pointed out that documents such as Pension Payment Orders, service records, and veteran identity cards already exist within government systems and should ordinarily suffice for verification. Some have described the episode as indicative of gaps in data integration and digital record-keeping, rather than any fault of the individuals concerned.
The Election Commission has maintained that SIR is a standard exercise aimed at cleaning electoral rolls, removing duplication, and ensuring accuracy, and is not intended to target or inconvenience any individual. However, the case of a former Navy Chief being asked to prove his identity has sparked a broader debate on how electoral verification processes can be made more efficient, respectful, and citizen-friendly—particularly for veterans who have spent decades in public service.
As the process continues, the episode has renewed calls for clearer protocols and special facilitation for elderly citizens and former members of the armed forces, so that routine administrative exercises do not become sources of avoidable distress.
