Bihar Assembly Election: EC to deploy 470 Central Observers in Bihar to ensure fair polls, CEC-led team to visit state on…

Bihar Assembly Election: The Election Commission of India(BHARAT) (ECI) will deploy 470 Central Observers in Bihar and bye-elections in various states to ensure fair and impartial conduct of polls in these states, the apex poll authority said Sunday. In an official release, EC said the Central Observers (General, Police and Expenditure) will be entrusted with “the crucial and solemn responsibility to ensure the fairness, impartiality and credibility of elections, which form the bedrock of the democratic polity.”

Why EC is deploying Observers in Bihar?

Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, grant powers to the Election Commission to deploys Central Observers to watch the conduct of elections in a constituency. The observers work work under the superintendence, control and discipline of the Commission for the period from their appointment until the election process is completed, the poll panel said.

“They act as the eyes and ears of the Commission and keep reporting to it periodically and as required,” it said, adding that the Observers not only help the EC in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections but also contribute towards enhancing voter awareness and participation in elections.

How observers would ensure fair polls?

The Commission noted that the primary objective of the Observers is to identify areas for improvement and to formulate concrete and operative recommendations. “By dint of their seniority and long administrative experience, General and Police Observers assist in the conduct of free and fair polls and oversee the efficient management of the electoral process at the field level.”

Expenditure Observers are appointed to observe the election expenses incurred by candidates, the poll body said.

According to the EC, 470 Central officers, including 320 IAS, 60 IPS and 90 from IRS/IRAS/ICAS etc, will be deployed as Central Observers for the upcoming Bihar Assembly Election and bye-polls in  Jammu & Kashmir (AC- Budgam & Nagrota), Rajasthan (AC- Anta), Jharkhand (AC- Ghatsila), Telangana (AC-Jubilee Hills), Punjab (AC-Tarn Taran), Mizoram (AC-Dampa) and Odisha (AC-Nuapada).

CEC Kumar-led team to visit Bihar

Meanwhile, a team of Election Commission officials led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, will review poll preparedness in during a two-day visit to state capital Patna on October 4 and 5. According to officials, the Gyanesh Kumar-led EC team will meet representatives of political parties, top police and administrative officials, and its state election commission officials to review election readiness in the state.

The term of the 243-member Bihar legislative assembly ends on November 22, and assembly polls in the key state are likely to be held in November.