Even after initiation of special proxy voting facility by the election commission of India, the armed forces personnel posted in Sriganganagar seemed least interested in it and have rather opted for inclusion of their name in the general voter’s list for the Lok Sabha polls.

The district election officer had also recently asked the army and BSF officials stationed in Sriganganagar to make aware the personnel about the new facility. However, the 500 applications from Sadhuwali and Lalgarh Jatan cantonment in Sriganganagar have surprised the election officials as these were for inclusion of names of the personnel in the general voter’s list and not for proxy voting, said an official posted in the election office at Sriganganagar.

The election commission provided form number 2 and 13H for proxy voting but instead the personnel submitted form 6 which meant for inclusion of names in the general voter’s list. Though any of the armed forces officials denied commenting on the matter yet sources believe that personnel have opted for this option as they get an identity card by the ECI, which is useful for them in day to day dealings with the local administration.

However, election officials doubt that the personnel may not be able to fulfil all the conditions since they are on posting in this area and their applications might be turned down, said an official.

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication