The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a daylong briefing session to prepare the General, Police, and Expenditure Observers for the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. S. S. Sandhu, emphasized the critical role of these Observers in ensuring a smooth, fair, and impartial election process.
Over 400 senior officers from various services, including IAS, IPS, and the Indian Revenue Service, attended the session. These Observers, numbering around 400, will be deployed across the constituencies in J&K and Haryana.
Key points from the briefing included:
Observers were instructed to remain accessible to all stakeholders, including candidates, political parties, and voters, to address grievances promptly.
The details of the Observers, such as contact information and places of stay, are to be widely publicized to ensure transparency.
Observers were advised to monitor meetings between candidates and political parties to ensure their concerns are addressed.
Emphasis was placed on vigilance against false narratives that could disrupt the election process.
Observers were briefed on various aspects of election management, including the use of technology and mobile applications to facilitate the election process.
The role of Observers as the “eyes and ears” of the Commission was underscored, with a focus on ensuring compliance with all election-related laws and guidelines.
The session provided comprehensive insights into the responsibilities of the Observers, equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge to effectively oversee the election process in their assigned constituencies.
