ECI briefs over 1,400 Central Observers ahead of Assembly elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday held briefing meetings for Central Observers to be deployed for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

A total of 1,444 officers comprising 477 General Observers, 451 Police Observers and 516 Expenditure Observers have been called for the briefings, which are being conducted in three batches over two days on February 5 and 6 at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) here.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, addressed the observers and outlined their responsibilities during the election process.

Describing the observers as the “beacons” of the Election Commission, CEC Kumar said they play a critical role in ensuring free, fair and transparent elections. He added that their presence would energise the entire election machinery across 824 Assembly constituencies where polling is scheduled.

Election Commissioner Dr. Sandhu advised the observers to act as a “friend, philosopher and guide” to election officials in the field. He stressed that their arrival in constituencies should be well publicised and that they must remain accessible to voters, political parties and candidates, ensuring swift redressal of grievances to avoid even the perception of bias.

Election Commissioner Dr. Joshi underscored the need for strict and impartial implementation of ECI instructions in both letter and spirit, while upholding democratic values. He also emphasised the timely distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) to prevent inconvenience to voters on polling day.

During the sessions, the Commission held interactive doubt-clearing discussions with the observers. Senior ECI officials briefed them on key aspects of electoral roll preparation, conduct of elections in the five poll-bound States and Union Territory, use of IT applications and platforms, and media-related matters.

As the “eyes and ears” of the Commission, the observers were instructed to familiarise themselves thoroughly with election laws, rules and guidelines, and to provide direct feedback to the Commission to ensure their strict and impartial compliance.

They were also directed to remain fully accessible to political parties and candidates, visit polling stations, and oversee the implementation of recent voter-centric initiatives, particularly the provision of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) at polling booths.

The Election Commission appoints Central Observers under its plenary powers vested by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to assist in the conduct of free and fair elections and ensure efficient management of the electoral process at the field level.