📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Greg Wolf from Paris, France
Politics
75-year-old retired Colonel fights for voting rights after 37 years of service
✍️ Amar Ujala · Jalandhar
🗓 26 Aug 2026, 04:03 AM
👁 1
Retired Colonel P.C. Chauhan, a 75-year-old veteran of the Sikh Regiment who served the nation for 37 years, is now battling to secure his right to vote.
Colonel P.C. Chauhan, aged 75, retired after a distinguished 37-year career in the Indian Army's Sikh Regiment. Despite his long service, he has encountered obstacles in registering to vote for the upcoming elections.
The veteran says bureaucratic delays and missing documentation have prevented his name from appearing on the electoral roll, prompting him to file a petition with the local election authorities. He argues that his decades of sacrifice for the nation entitle him to full civic participation.
Election officials in Jalandhar have acknowledged the complaint and indicated that the matter will be reviewed under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. If resolved, Chauhan would join thousands of other senior citizens exercising their franchise this year.
Advocacy groups for veterans have voiced support, urging faster clearance of pending cases to ensure that those who served the country are not disenfranchised. The outcome of Chauhan's case could set a precedent for other retired personnel facing similar hurdles.
The issue highlights broader concerns about the accessibility of voting for senior citizens and ex-servicemen across India, especially as the nation approaches a crucial electoral cycle.
The veteran says bureaucratic delays and missing documentation have prevented his name from appearing on the electoral roll, prompting him to file a petition with the local election authorities. He argues that his decades of sacrifice for the nation entitle him to full civic participation.
Election officials in Jalandhar have acknowledged the complaint and indicated that the matter will be reviewed under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. If resolved, Chauhan would join thousands of other senior citizens exercising their franchise this year.
Advocacy groups for veterans have voiced support, urging faster clearance of pending cases to ensure that those who served the country are not disenfranchised. The outcome of Chauhan's case could set a precedent for other retired personnel facing similar hurdles.
The issue highlights broader concerns about the accessibility of voting for senior citizens and ex-servicemen across India, especially as the nation approaches a crucial electoral cycle.