Ensuring free polls, judicious use of central power: The Observer’s polling body

Observers are instructed to behave tough but politely on the pitch (representative)

New Delhi:

The Election Commission on Monday asked its observers to ensure that polls are free of coercion and intimidation and push for judicious use of central and state troops, keeping in mind that their deployment should not favor any particular political party.

Ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections and some state assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar addressed a meeting of over 2,100 generals, policemen and expenditure observers, instructing them to ensure free and fair elections. Level playing field elections. He said polls should not be subject to intimidation and inducements.

The Central Electoral Commission reminds them that, as observers, they represent the Commission and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and engage with all stakeholders, including candidates.

The Electoral Commission (EC) said in a statement that observers were instructed to be tough but courteous when acting on site.

Observers are also asked to physically confine themselves to the confines of their allocated parliamentary constituencies throughout the election process. They are said to have proposed installing GPS tracking systems in their vehicles.

They have also been told to remain in contact by phone and email at all times and to respond to calls from candidates, parties, voters and poll workers. “The committee will take any complaints in this regard seriously,” the statement said.

Throughout the election process, observers need to step outside their comfort zones, the statement said.

During the day-long briefing, the Senior Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Deputy Electoral Commissioner and others provided comprehensive and thorough input to the officials on various aspects of election administration. The mission of the observers is to ensure that the electoral process is free and fair. They are deployed at polling areas before elections are called, serving as the eyes and ears of state polling agencies.

The briefing, organized in hybrid mode, was attended by more than 2,150 senior officials from the Indian Administrative and Police departments, as well as officials from the Indian Revenue Service and a few other central departments.

Some 900 general observers, 450 police observers and 800 expenditure observers are being deployed for the upcoming elections.

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