EC to deploy 470 officers for Bihar election, bypolls

NEW DELHI: Election Commission is likely to announce assembly bypolls in seven states along with the Bihar election, and will deploy 470 officers from various civil services as general, police and expenditure observers for the simultaneous exercises.

In a statement issued on Sunday, EC said the 470 observers, including 320 from IAS, 60 from IPS and 90 from IRS/IRAS/ICAS, will watch over the Bihar assembly election and bypolls to the Budgam and Nagrota assembly constituency (AC) in J&K, Anta AC in Rajasthan, Ghatsila AC in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills AC in Telangana, Tarn Taran AC in Punjab, Dampa AC in Mizoram and Nuapada AC in Odisha.

EC will be holding a briefing for the 470 officers here on Oct 3 on their responsibilities and duties that cover ensuring fairness, impartiality and credibility of elections. "They act as eyes and ears of EC and keep reporting to the commission periodically and on need basis," said an EC spokesperson.

Observers not only help the commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections but also contribute towards enhancing voter awareness and participation in elections. The main objective of the observers is to identify areas for improvements and to formulate concrete and operative recommendations. With their seniority and long experience in the administrative services, general and police observers oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level. Expenditure observers are appointed to observe the election expenses incurred by candidates and flag any abuse of money power.

EC deploys central observers under the powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The observers work under the superintendence, control, and discipline of the commission for the period from their appointment until the process of election is completed.