A routine voter roll update has snowballed into a national debate after the Election Commission of India issued an identity hearing notice to retired Admiral Arun Prakash, categorising the decorated veteran as an “unmapped” voter despite existing government records.
A retired naval chief, a Vir Chakra awardee who moved to Goa nearly two decades ago after hanging up his uniform, has found himself flagged as an “unmapped voter” during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
Reacting to the notice issued by the Election Commission of India, Admiral Arun Prakash said he has never sought preferential treatment after retirement.
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He stated that both he and his wife had completed the SIR documentation as prescribed and were reassured when their names appeared in the Goa Draft Electoral Roll 2026 uploaded on the EC’s website. Despite this, he said, they would comply with the summons issued by election officials.
The veteran, however, flagged procedural concerns, pointing out that he and his 78-year-old wife have been asked to present themselves on two separate dates at a venue located nearly 18 kilometres away from their residence. Questioning the process, he said the SIR forms should be redesigned if they fail to capture essential information.
He also noted that the Booth Level Officer (BLO) had visited their home three times during the exercise and could have collected any additional details at that stage itself.
The case is not isolated. Former Navy captain and Congress MP from South Goa Viriato Fernandes was also issued a similar notice after being categorised as “unmapped” during the revision process.
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Goa is among the states currently undergoing the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The last such revision in the state was carried out in 2002.
Under the existing framework, voters who are unable to trace their names — or those of their parents or close relatives — in the 2002 SIR database are marked as “unmapped”. Such voters are then required to submit additional documentation to establish citizenship and eligibility.
The notices issued to prominent veterans have triggered debate over the implementation of the exercise, with critics questioning whether administrative rigour is overshadowing practicality and sensitivity, particularly in cases involving senior citizens and decorated servicemen.
Published: 12 Jan 2026, 01:45 pm IST
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