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ECI Deploys 1,444 Observers for Fair Polls in 5 States/UTs

The Election Commission of India has organized briefing meetings for 1,444 Central Observers being deployed for the upcoming assembly elections in five states and union territories. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi personally addressed the observers, emphasizing their role as beacons for the ECI. The observers, comprising General, Police, and Expenditure categories, are tasked with ensuring the elections are free, fair, and transparent across 824 constituencies. Their mandate includes public accessibility, swift grievance redressal, and strict implementation of ECI instructions to uphold democratic values.

Key Points: ECI Briefs Central Observers for Assembly Elections 2024

  • 1,444 Central Observers deployed
  • Briefing held over two days in Delhi
  • Observers to ensure free & fair polls
  • Overseeing elections in 824 constituencies
2 min read

ECI briefs Central Observers to be deployed for forthcoming assembly elections

ECI briefs 1,444 General, Police & Expenditure Observers for free & fair assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal.

"Observers should serve as a friend, philosopher, and guide to election officials on the field. - Election Commissioner SS Sandhu"

New Delhi, February 5

The Election Commission of India on Thursday organised briefing meetings for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the forthcoming assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

According to an official release, 1,444 Officers, including 714 General Observers, 233 Police Observers and 497 Expenditure Observers, have been called for the briefing meetings.

The briefing meetings are being held in three batches over two days - February 5 and 6 - at IIIDEM in the national capital.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, briefed the Central Observers.

CEC Kumar said that the Observers have been selected to serve as beacons for the ECI. He added that the Observers should ensure free, fair and transparent elections. He said that their presence will energise the entire election machinery across 824 constituencies where elections are going to be held.

Election Commissioner SS Sandhu said the Observers should serve as a friend, philosopher, and guide to election officials on the field.

"Their arrival must be well publicised, and they should remain accessible, ensuring grievances of the electors are swiftly redressed to avoid even perceptions of favouritism," he added.

Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi said that the Observers must ensure ECI instructions are implemented in letter and spirit, upholding impartiality and democratic values. He also instructed that Voter Information Slips (VIS) be distributed well in time to voters so they are not inconvenienced on election day.

The Commission also interacted with the Observers in a doubt-clearing session. Senior officials of the Commission also briefed the Observers on various aspects of the preparation of Electoral Rolls and the Conduct of Elections in the five poll-bound States/UTs.

As per the release, the Commission appoints Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by ECI! 👏 Observers are crucial to check money power and booth capturing. But will they have real teeth on the ground? Local political machines are very strong. Their accessibility to common voters, as mentioned by EC Sandhu, is the key test.
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Sarah B
As someone following Indian elections, the scale of planning is impressive. Briefing them on electoral rolls is essential – that's where many disputes start. Distributing Voter Slips on time is a basic but often overlooked detail that causes so much hassle on polling day.
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Aman W
Respectfully, we hear about these briefings before every election. The real question is about accountability. What happens if an observer fails in their duty or shows bias? Is there a transparent mechanism for voters to report an observer? The theory is sound, but practical enforcement is what matters.
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Kavya N
Hope the expenditure observers are extra vigilant. Cash, liquor, and freebies flow like water during elections in some of these states. Curbing that is half the battle won for a level playing field. Jai Hind!
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Vikram M
The briefing at IIIDEM is a good institution. Training is important. But these officers come from central services and may not always understand the local political culture and nuances. They must listen to the ground-level election officials too, not just instruct them.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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