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Bengal Polls: ECI Forms Special Team to Monitor Central Observers Daily

The Election Commission of India has established a special monitoring cell under the West Bengal CEO to oversee the daily functioning of all central observers for the upcoming assembly polls. This cell will report directly to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi. The move aims to ensure a foolproof and transparent electoral process, addressing allegations of biased surveillance. The state has the highest number of police observers and a significant deployment of general and expenditure observers.

Key Points: ECI Sets Up Monitoring Cell for Bengal Poll Observers

  • Daily oversight of observers
  • 294 general observers deployed
  • 84 police observers highest among poll-bound areas
  • 100 expenditure observers second-highest
2 min read

Bengal polls: Special monitoring team to oversee functioning of central observers

Election Commission creates special cell to oversee daily functioning of 294 general, 84 police, and 100 expenditure observers for West Bengal polls.

"bring its day-to-day functioning under surveillance to make the system absolutely foolproof and transparent - CEO's office insider"

Kolkata, March 18

Aiming for total transparency in the system of electoral management for the forthcoming two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal next month, the Election Commission of India has now decided to introduce a system for overseeing daily the functioning of the general observers, police, and expenditure observers appointed for the elections in the state.

A special monitoring cell under the leadership and direct control of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, will be created, which will not only oversee the functioning of these ECI-appointed observers but also send a report every day on its observations to the ECI headquarters in New Delhi, informed an insider from the CEO's office.

"Already, the ECI has appointed a total of 294 general observers for West Bengal, making it the only one among the four poll-bound states and one union territory to have one general observer for each Assembly constituency. At the same time, West Bengal polls will involve 84 police observers, the highest among the poll-bound places. This time, West Bengal polls will also involve 100 expenditure observers, the second-highest among poll-bound states and UT. Now, the ECI has decided to bring its day-to-day functioning under surveillance to make the system absolutely foolproof and transparent," the CEO's office insider said.

He also said the initiative was in line with the commitment of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar earlier this month to make the West Bengal Assembly polls free, fair and violence-free.

"By bringing the functioning of the ECI-appointed general, police, and expenditure observers under a daily screening mechanism, it also wants to send a message of transparency in the system and address the allegations that ECI is limiting its surveillance only to the bureaucrats and cops of the state government," the CEO's office insider said.

Meanwhile, after deputing the West Bengal Home Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena, as a central observer for poll-bound Tamil Nadu, the ECI has chosen two other departmental secretaries in the state for deputation as central observers to other poll-bound states.

They are the state public works department (PWD) secretary, Antara Acharya, and the state food processing secretary, Parvez Ahmed Siddique. However, both have requested the ECI to reconsider the decision to depute them as central observers to other poll-bound states.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
Good move, but will it be effective on the ground? We have seen strict measures announced before, but booth capturing and intimidation still happen. The real test is in the remote villages. Hope this special cell has real teeth.
A
Aman W
Interesting to see state secretaries being sent as observers to other states. But if they themselves are requesting reconsideration, doesn't it show a flaw in the deputation process? The ECI must ensure observers are willing and able to do the job without local pressure.
S
Sarah B
Transparency is key for democracy. The daily reporting to Delhi is a smart check-and-balance. It should help curb any potential bias or inaction by the observers on the ground. Other states should adopt this model.
V
Vikram M
One observer per constituency is impressive. But the real challenge is the expenditure observers. Cash and freebies flow like water during Bengal polls. Catching that needs more than just daily reports, needs undercover ops!
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Nisha Z
As a Bengali, I just want peaceful voting. No clashes, no threats. If this new monitoring cell can ensure my elderly parents can vote without fear, I'll be grateful. All this bureaucratic shuffling must translate to safety for common people.

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