BuzzBytes New Delhi, March 11: The Election Commission of India conducted a briefing for Observers to be deployed in the forthcoming General Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in a meeting attended by over 2150 senior officers, instructed the poll observers to ensure a level playing field for free, fair, intimidation, and inducement-free elections.During the briefing, CEC Rajiv Kumar stressed that Observers, as representatives of the Commission, should conduct themselves professionally and be accessible to all stakeholders, including candidates. He urged them to be tough yet polite in their conduct on the field, emphasizing visits to polling stations to familiarize themselves with the geography and identify vulnerabilities and sensitive areas.CEC Rajiv Kumar highlighted that the Commission has re-drafted all circulars and updated manuals and handbooks, available on the ECI website in a searchable and user-friendly format. Handbooks and manuals were prepared based on the roles and functions of different officials, accompanied by a checklist of Do’s and Don’ts.The Observers were directed to remain physically within the boundaries of the allotted Parliamentary Constituency during the entire electoral process. GPS tracking in their vehicles was proposed, and they were instructed to publicize their contact details widely. Observers were also advised to be available on phones and emails at all times, responding promptly to calls from candidates, political parties, the general public, and personnel on election duties.The Observers were directed to fulfill their mandatory duties diligently, including witnessing the deployment of forces, the randomization process, and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.During the briefing, Observers were informed to visit polling station locations and vulnerable areas, interact with people in these areas, identify vulnerabilities, and take measures to address them.Comprehensive inputs about various aspects of election management were provided during the day-long briefing sessions, covering election planning, Observer’s roles and responsibilities, electoral roll issues, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, legal provisions, EVM/VVPAT management, media engagement, and voter facilitation under the Commission’s SVEEP (Systematic Voter’s Education and Electoral Participation) program.Observers were given a functional demonstration of EVMs and VVPATs, briefed about technical security features, administrative protocols, and procedural safeguards, making the EVM ecosystem secure, robust, reliable, tamper-proof, and credible.The Commission deploys Observers under Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act,1951, and plenary powers of the Constitution. Around 900 General Observers, 450 Police Observers, and 800 Expenditure Observers are being deployed in the forthcoming elections.
Ensure Level-Playing Field For Free, Fair And Inducement-Free Elections”: CEC Rajiv Kumar Directs Poll Observers
