Lok Sabha Elections: EC Deploys Former Civil Servants as Special Observers for Police, Expenditure in Andhra, Odisha and UP

In order to deal with the challenges posed by the influence of money, muscle, and misinformation, the Election Commission of India has appointed Special Observers for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the poll body said that Special Observers (General and Police) have been deployed in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar where the population exceeds 7 crore, along with Andhra Pradesh and Odisha that will vote simultaneously in Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

In each of these states, one General Special Observer and one Police Special Observer has been appointed. In addition, Special Expenditure Observers were deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

“The Special Observers have been entrusted with the crucial task of supervising the randomization of personnel, security forces, and voting machines, thereby thwarting any attempts to subvert the democratic process and a level playing field,” the EC said.

The Special Observers appointed are former civil servants with impressive track records of domain expertise and past experience with election processes. These Observers will station themselves at the state headquarters and undertake a tour, if needed, to the areas and districts where sensitivity is high or necessary coordination is required.

“The Commission deploys Special Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution. The Observers are entrusted with the crucial and solemn responsibility to ensure the fairness, impartiality and credibility of elections, which ultimately forms the bedrock of our democratic polity,” the EC said.

These Special Observers not only help the commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections, but also to enhance voter awareness and participation in elections. The main objective of Special Observers is to identify areas for improvements and to formulate concrete and operative recommendations.

“With an unwavering resolve to clamp down on money power in elections and to strengthen the existing election expenditure monitoring, Special Expenditure Observers have also been deployed in States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha. The menace of money power and distribution of illicit liquor and freebies is also a concern for the Commission,” the EC added.

Lok Sabha elections across the country will be held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1. The counting of votes will be held on June 4.