Meet Preethi Parkavi, Election Officer With A Vision To Make TN Polls More Inclusive

As the Tamil Nadu assembly polls roll around the corner, election officers like Preethi Parkavi are working tirelessly to ensure that the voting process is inclusive for all and the system runs smooth. Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) for Tiruvallur, Parkavi is being noted for her efforts towards bringing villagers in her district, who have never voted before, into the fold of polling season in the state.

A visit she made to the Adhigathur village in February resulted in new voter registrations and ID issuances, at a rate as had never been seen before in the area. Within 12 days, people from the Irula, Narikurava and Arunthathiyar communities had voter IDs in hand. She reportedly fast-tracked the process for these soon-to-be first-time voters and made them aware of their voting rights.

About Preethi Parkavi And Her Efforts During Election Season

"I learned they don’t have any government ID cards... So, I visited the area with an E-Seva operator and issued the necessary documents. After that, I thought why can’t we issue them a voter ID as well... I was shocked to know that none from their community had exercised their right to vote. They thought they needed to submit several documents, pay money to the government and pass many procedures to attain a voter’s ID," she has been quoted saying.

"They were so happy to see the cards with their photographs on it": Preethi Parkavi

Parkavi said she even handed the village residents saplings they could plant near their homes as a mark of their voter registrations and constitutional rights. "We are really excited and are eagerly waiting to vote," an Adhigathur resident said.

On Including Women And The Trans Community

Preethi Parkavi has also called to action her belief in inclusivity and fair elections by launching campaigns that encourage women and transgender voters to take part. For instance, on Women's Day, Parkavi came up with her own rendition of 'Pink Booths' exclusively demarcated for women in the Poonamalle constituency for voting practice.

"I noticed that the voting percentage of women in this constituency was less," she said. "So I decided to do something to make the women voters step out and exercise their voting rights. I was very particular that the entire room should be decked up in pink. Right from the fans, walls, tables, and even small items like pins, ribbons, everything is in pink. Five women officers were appointed exclusively for this booth."

Other innovative ideas she has come up with include food tags on parcels that are being handed out by election teams that have voting awareness messages for citizens. During a poll awareness drive in this constituency, she recruited a team of trans persons to spread the message of fair voting to people.

"I am confident that we will achieve 100 per cent voter turnout this time," Parkavi says with unfaltering hope.

Polls for the Tamil Nadu election will be held between April 6 to May 2.