The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 1,111 central observers for the ongoing Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, as well as for bye-elections in six states.
The observers will function as the “eyes and ears” of the Commission to ensure that elections are conducted in a violence-free and inducement-free manner, the ECI said on Monday.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing the poll schedule earlier, had emphasised that voters should be able to cast their ballots without fear or favour.
The Commission said the observers will oversee the conduct of polls and monitor the implementation of election rules at the field level.
According to the ECI, a total of 557 general observers, 188 police observers and 366 expenditure observers have been deployed across 832 Assembly constituencies in the five states and Union Territory.
West Bengal, which has 294 Assembly constituencies, has been assigned 294 general observers, 84 police observers and 100 expenditure observers. Tamil Nadu has 136 general observers, 40 police observers and 151 expenditure observers for its 234 constituencies.
Kerala will have 51 general observers, 17 police observers and 40 expenditure observers for 140 seats, while Assam will have 51 general observers, 35 police observers and 50 expenditure observers across its 126 constituencies.
In Puducherry, which has 30 Assembly constituencies, the Commission has deployed 17 general observers, four police observers and 17 expenditure observers.
For the bye-elections being held in eight constituencies across six states, the Commission has appointed eight general observers, eight police observers and eight expenditure observers.
The Commission has directed all observers to reach their assigned Assembly constituencies by March 18.
After arrival, the observers will publicly share their contact details and specify daily hours during which candidates, political parties, their representatives or members of the public can meet them to raise election-related grievances.
The ECI appoints central observers under powers granted by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to assist in ensuring free and fair elections.
