India’s Election Commission (ECI) stepped up preparations for upcoming polls by deploying 470 Central Observers on Sunday. These officials will help ensure fair and transparent Bihar Assembly elections, along with eight bye-elections across the country, while boosting voter awareness and turnout.
The team includes 320 officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 60 from the Indian Police Service (IPS), and 90 from other groups like the IRS, IRAS, and ICAS. ECI chose these experienced professionals under its powers from Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The observers will monitor the Bihar Assembly elections and key bye-elections in places like Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam and Nagrota seats, Rajasthan’s Anta constituency, Jharkhand’s Ghatsila, Telangana’s Jubilee Hills, Punjab’s Tarn Taran, Mizoram’s Dampa, and Odisha’s Nuapada. They’ll stay on duty from appointment until the entire election process wraps up, reporting directly to the ECI as needed.
“These observers serve as the Commission’s eyes and ears on the ground,” the ECI stated. Their main job? Make sure elections stay impartial, transparent, and credible—core to India’s democracy. They also aim to encourage more people to vote and participate actively.
Beyond watching the process, observers will spot ways to improve election management and suggest practical fixes. General and Police Observers, with their vast experience, will guide local teams for smoother operations and better on-the-ground coordination.
Expenditure Observers focus on keeping tabs on candidates’ spending to enforce strict rules on election finances. Overall, this move strengthens ECI’s commitment to free, fair, and inclusive polls in Bihar and these key regions.
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