ECI briefs observers for Bihar Assembly polls, emphasizes impartiality

The Election Commission of India on Friday held a comprehensive briefing for General, Police, and Expenditure Observers who will be deployed as Central Observers for the forthcoming General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and bye-elections in certain states, the poll panel said in a press note.

The meeting was attended by 425 officers, including 287 IAS officers, 58 IPS officers, and 80 officers from IRS/IRAS/ICAS and other services.

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Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described the observers as the “beacons of democracy” and emphasized their crucial role in ensuring free and fair polls.

“As the Commission’s eyes and ears, the Central Observers were asked to familiarise themselves with all the election laws, rules, and guidelines, provide direct field inputs and ensure their strict and impartial compliance,” the ECI said in its press note.

The ECI 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. These observers play a vital role in assisting the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls and overseeing the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.

The observers were instructed to familiarize themselves with election laws, rules, and guidelines, provide direct field inputs and ensure strict and impartial compliance, remain accessible to political parties, candidates, and voters for grievance redressal, and visit polling stations and ensure implementation of recent initiatives for voter convenience.