The ECI briefed the central observers for the five states
Guwahati: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday held a briefing for the central observers who will be monitoring the upcoming assembly elections in five states.
The election schedule for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal is expected to be announced in March. A total of 1,444 officers will be deployed in these states, including 714 general observers, 233 police observers, and 497 expenditure observers.
During the session, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reminded the observers of their responsibility to conduct the elections in a fair and transparent manner, stating that their active participation would strengthen the electoral process in the 824 constituencies.
Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi emphasized that Voter Information Slips (VIS) should be distributed to voters well in advance of polling day to avoid any inconvenience. The observers also participated in a question-and-answer session, and senior ECI officials briefed them on key aspects of electoral roll management and election procedures in the five poll-bound states and Union Territory.
The briefing also covered the use of IT tools, digital platforms, and media coordination. The observers, who are considered the “eyes and ears” of the Commission, were instructed to thoroughly understand all election laws and guidelines and to implement them impartially.
They were also advised to maintain accessibility for political parties, candidates, and voters so that grievances could be addressed promptly.
Furthermore, the officials were asked to visit polling stations to check the implementation of new voter-friendly initiatives, including Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF), aimed at making the voting process easier and more convenient for citizens.
