New Delhi, Feb 05: The Election Commission of India (ECI) today organised briefing meetings for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the forthcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
Total 1,444 Officers, including 714 General Observers, 233 Police Observers and 497 Expenditure Observers have been called for the briefing meetings. The briefing meetings will be held in three batches over two days, i.e., February 5 and 6, 2026 held at IIIDEM, New Delhi.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi briefed the Central Observers.
Addressing the Observers, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar said they have been selected to serve as the beacons of ECI. He added that the Observers should ensure free, fair and transparent elections and said that their presence will energise the entire election machinery across 824 constituencies where elections are going to be held.
Addressing the Observers, Election Commissioner Dr. SS Sandhu said they should serve as a friend, philosopher, and guide to election officials on the field. Their arrival must be well publicized, and they should remain accessible, ensuring grievances of the electors are swiftly redressed to avoid even perceptions of favouritism.
Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi said that the Observers must ensure ECI instructions are implemented in letter and spirit, upholding impartiality and democratic values.
Dr. Joshi also instructed that Voter Information Slips (VIS) be distributed well in time to the voters so that they are not inconvenienced on poll day.
The Commission also interacted with the Observers in a doubt-clearing session. Senior officials of the Commission also briefed the Observers on various aspects of preparation of Electoral Rolls and the Conduct of Elections in the five poll-bound States and UTs.
The Observers were also briefed on the IT applications and platforms, and media- related matters during the sessions.
As the Commission’s eyes and ears, the Central Observers were asked to familiarise themselves with all the election laws, rules, guidelines and provide inputs from the directly to the Commission ensure their strict and impartial compliance
Observers were instructed to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates, and the grievances of voters are redressed in a timely manner.
The Observers were also instructed to visit polling stations and ensure the implementation of the recent initiatives taken by the Commission for the convenience of the voters, especially ensuring the provision of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs)
The Commission appoints Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.
