Guwahati: The Election Commission of India (ECI) held a briefing on Thursday for central observers who will monitor the upcoming Assembly elections in five states.
The poll schedule for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal is expected to be announced in March. A total of 1,444 officials will be assigned across these states, including 714 general observers, 233 police observers, and 497 expenditure observers.
During the session, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar reminded the observers of their responsibility to ensure elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner, noting that their active involvement would strengthen the election process across 824 constituencies.
Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi stressed that Voter Information Slips (VIS) must be distributed to voters well ahead of polling day to avoid any inconvenience. Observers also took part in a question-and-answer session, and senior ECI officials briefed them on key aspects of electoral roll management and election procedures in the five poll-bound states and union territory.
The briefing further covered the use of IT tools, digital platforms, and media coordination. Observers, considered the Commission’s “eyes and ears,” were instructed to thoroughly understand all election laws and guidelines and to enforce them impartially.
They were also advised to maintain accessibility for political parties, candidates, and voters, ensuring that grievances are addressed promptly.
Additionally, the officials were asked to visit polling stations to check the implementation of new voter-friendly initiatives, including the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs), aimed at making the voting process smoother and more convenient for citizens.