Odisha CEO R.S. Gopalan Seeks VRS Days After SIR Rollout, Denies Link

Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer, R. S. Gopalan, has applied for voluntary retirement just days after the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state. The application, submitted on [date], comes amid heightened political scrutiny over the SIR process, which has been criticized by opposition parties for allegedly disenfranchising voters.

Gopalan, a senior IAS officer, was quoted as saying that his decision to seek VRS was prompted by personal reasons and has nothing to do with the SIR process. The SIR, conducted in Odisha and other states, involved house-to-house verification and has been a contentious issue, with allegations of errors and omissions. The Election Commission has defended the exercise as necessary to clean up electoral rolls.

The timing of Gopalan's retirement has raised eyebrows, with opposition leaders questioning whether it signals dissent within the electoral machinery. The BJP, however, has dismissed any link, calling it a routine administrative matter. The development is likely to fuel further debate over the conduct of the SIR and its impact on the electoral process ahead of upcoming elections. The Election Commission is yet to comment on the acceptance of Gopalan's application.