The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday held briefing sessions for Central Observers who will be deployed for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
According to the ECI, a total of 1,444 officers, including 477 General Observers, 451 Police Observers and 516 Expenditure Observers have been called for the briefing meetings.
The sessions will be held in three batches over two days, on February 5 and 6, 2026 at IIIDEM in New Delhi.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi addressed the Central Observers during the meetings.
Stressing their critical role in the electoral process, the Chief Election Commissioner said the observers had been chosen to act as the “beacons” of the Commission and must ensure that elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He noted that their presence would energise the election machinery across 824 Assembly constituencies where polls are scheduled to be held.
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Addressing the Observers, Election Commissioner Dr. SS Sandhu said they should serve friends, philosophers, and guides to election officials in the field. He highlighted the importance of their accessibility and said their arrival must be well publicized so that grievances of the voters are swiftly addressed, avoiding 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 held an interactive, doubt-clearing session with observers. They were also briefed on the IT applications and platforms, and media-related matters.
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 voters and to ensure that grievances are redressed in a timely manner.
The Observers were further 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).
