Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 At a time when senior bureaucrats are often seen as distant and inaccessible, a quiet administrative shift by top election officials is winning public praise in Kerala.
At the centre of it are Chief Electoral Officer Rathan U Kelkar and his deputy, P. B. Nooh, whose hands-on and accessible approach during the ongoing election process is being widely appreciated.
Ever since the poll schedule was announced, Kelkar, Nooh, and their team have been working round the clock, but what stands out is not just efficiency; it is their openness.
Citizens say both officers remain directly reachable, even on WhatsApp, responding promptly to queries and grievances, a rarity in higher echelons of administration.
Two recent instances underline this shift. In one case, the family of a 94-year-old woman who had opted for home voting was left distressed when a Booth Level Officer (BLO) visited her residence in her absence.
A devout Christian, she had stepped out to attend Good Friday service at her church.
The BLO reportedly informed the family that it would not be possible to return, effectively denying her the opportunity to vote.
When the issue was brought to the attention of Nooh, he acted immediately.
Even before a formal response could be conveyed, the BLO contacted the family again, assuring them that the visit would be rescheduled the same evening, ensuring that the elderly voter’s franchise was protected.
In another instance, a school principal seeking urgent clarification on provisions of the Model Code of Conduct reached out to Kelkar.
The response came within minutes. Known for his ease in speaking Malayalam, Kelkar’s prompt intervention resolved the confusion, much to the relief of the institution.
Such interactions are increasingly being cited as examples of a more citizen-centric election machinery.
Kerala goes to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators.
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