New Delhi, 11-03-2024 : Ahead of the imminent General Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the Election Commission of India (ECI) convened a crucial briefing session for the designated Observers to be stationed across the various States and Union Territories. This briefing, held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, saw the participation of over 2150 senior officers, comprising IAS, IPS, and IRS officers among others, in both physical and virtual modes.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in his address, underscored the paramount importance of ensuring a level playing field for conducting elections that are free from intimidation and inducement. He emphasized the professionalism and accessibility expected from the Observers, who represent the Commission, urging them to conduct themselves with firmness yet politeness while visiting polling stations and assessing the electoral landscape for vulnerabilities and sensitive areas.
Kumar highlighted the Commission’s efforts in revising circulars, updating manuals, and making them easily accessible on the ECI website. Handbooks and manuals were tailored to delineate the roles and responsibilities of various officials, accompanied by a checklist of guidelines. Additionally, Observers were instructed to confine themselves within their designated Parliamentary Constituencies throughout the electoral process, with proposed GPS tracking in their vehicles to monitor their movements.
The briefing also emphasized the importance of prompt responsiveness to queries and complaints from candidates, political parties, and the general public. Observers were tasked with ensuring the integrity of electoral processes, including the deployment of forces, randomization procedures, and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. They were urged to venture out of their comfort zones and engage extensively with polling station locations and vulnerable areas to identify and address critical issues.
Comprehensive inputs on various facets of election management, including electoral roll management, legal provisions, media engagement, and voter facilitation initiatives under the SVEEP program, were provided during the day-long sessions. Additionally, Observers received hands-on demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), along with insights into the technical and procedural safeguards embedded in the EVM ecosystem.
Deployed under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and constitutional provisions, Observers play a pivotal role in upholding fairness, impartiality, and credibility throughout the electoral process. With approximately 900 General Observers, 450 Police Observers, and 800 Expenditure Observers slated for deployment, the Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to conducting transparent and credible elections.