New Delhi, Sep 28 (JKNS): The Election Commission of India has sanctioned the deployment of Central Observers comprising General, Police and Expenditure officers for the upcoming Bihar assembly elections and bye-elections scheduled in multiple states, including Jammu and Kashmir.
According to an official Statement issued by ECI as per news agency JKNS, the deployment is being carried out under the powers vested in the Commission by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These officers will monitor the conduct of elections in their assigned constituencies and will remain under the direct supervision and control of the Commission until the completion of the electoral process.
The Commission stated that the Observers play a vital role in ensuring the transparency, neutrality and credibility of polls. Designated as the Commission’s “eyes and ears,” they are required to furnish regular reports and intervene wherever necessary to uphold due process.
Besides safeguarding electoral integrity, Observers are also tasked with identifying procedural gaps and suggesting operational improvements. While General and Police Observers oversee polling arrangements and field-level coordination, Expenditure Observers are mandated to keep a check on the spending patterns of candidates.
As per the decision, a total of 470 officers — including 320 from the IAS cadre, 60 IPS officers and 90 from IRS/IRAS/ICAS and allied services — will be deputed as Central Observers for the Bihar elections and bye-polls in J&K (Budgam & Nagrota), Rajasthan (Anta), Jharkhand (Ghatsila), Telangana (Jubilee Hills), Punjab (Tarn Taran), Mizoram (Dampa) and Odisha (Nuapada). (JKNS)
