Election Commission Briefs 425 Central Observers for Bihar Polls, Bye-Elections

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today held a comprehensive briefing for Central Observers who will oversee the forthcoming General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Bihar and bye-elections in several states. The session was organised at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi, with the participation of 425 senior officers drawn from the All India Services and Central Civil Services.

Senior Leadership Leads the Briefing

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, personally addressed the officers. In his opening remarks, CEC Gyanesh Kumar described the Observers as the “beacons of democracy,” highlighting their critical responsibility in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

He underscored the importance of impartiality, accountability, and strict adherence to election laws and guidelines. “Observers are the eyes and ears of the Commission in the field,” he stated, urging them to maintain the highest standards of neutrality while addressing complaints from voters, candidates, and political parties.

Composition of the Observers’ Team

The group of 425 officers included:

• 287 IAS officers serving as General Observers,

• 58 IPS officers designated as Police Observers, and

• 80 officers from IRS, IRAS, ICAS and allied services assigned as Expenditure Observers.

This multi-service composition ensures that all critical aspects of the electoral process—law and order, administrative oversight, and monitoring of election expenditure—are comprehensively managed.

Key Responsibilities Assigned

The Observers were directed to:

• Familiarise themselves thoroughly with election laws, the Model Code of Conduct, and Commission guidelines.

• Provide direct and real-time field feedback to the Commission to ensure fair and smooth conduct of polls.

• Remain accessible at all times to voters, political representatives, and candidates to facilitate grievance redressal.

• Undertake regular visits to polling stations to ensure preparedness and assess arrangements for voter convenience.

Special emphasis was placed on the new initiatives rolled out by the Commission aimed at improving voter accessibility, including better facilities at polling stations and enhanced technological interventions for transparent election management.

Constitutional Mandate

The deployment of Central Observers is grounded in the plenary powers of the Election Commission under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and further reinforced by Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These provisions empower the Commission to appoint Observers to oversee the electoral process, strengthen public confidence, and ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.

Ensuring Free and Fair Elections

Through their field-level monitoring, the Observers act as an extension of the Commission, ensuring that every stage of the election—ranging from nominations to campaigning, polling, and counting—is conducted transparently and without bias. They also play a pivotal role in addressing challenges on the ground, from law-and-order issues to expenditure tracking, thereby safeguarding the democratic process.

As Bihar heads for a high-stakes Assembly election and multiple states prepare for bye-polls, the Election Commission’s detailed briefing underlines its commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and empowering voters.