Thaindian News

New Delhi, Mar 10 (ANI): The Election Commission on Thursday appointed about 1000 observers for the general elections to the legislative assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

Chief Election Commissioner Dr. S.Y. Quraishi and Election Commissioners V.S.Sampath and H.S. Brahma addressed these senior officers drawn from All India Services.

The CEC drew the attention of the observers to their crucial role in the conduct of elections, specially their vigilance and executive functions.

Dr Quraishi complimented the Observers for having contributed to free and fair elections every time, and for being instrumental in rooting out evils like booth capturing and muscle power.

Highlighting the total independence of the Election Commission, Dr Quraishi said: “This has been possible due to the founders of the constitution and the unwavering support from judiciary, politicians, civil servants, the media and above all the people of India. He underlined that election management in India has become an example for the world and several countries now wish to learn skills from ECI.

Election Commissioners Sampath and Brahma pointed out the specific areas that the Observers should be careful about while doing their duties in the elections. Officials of the Commission provided details of rules, regulation, ground situation, and the range of responsibilities that the Observers have to perform.

The observers, who are appointed under Section 20 B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 play an important role in ensuring free and fair elections. They act as crucial link between the field and the Commission.

These officers remain under disciplinary control of the Commission till the end of elections. Observers will be monitoring all the processes involved in the conduct of election to maintain its purity including the area of election expenditure incurred by the contesting candidates.

The election observers will reach their allotted constituencies on the last date of filing of nominations in each phase of the election in the concerned States and Union Territory and stay continuously in the constituencies assigned to them till the end of poll day. The observers will supervise the process of election at all stages, viz campaign, poll, counting of votes and declaration of results.

They would also be supervising randomization, preparation of Electronic Voting Machines, training of polling personnel and conduct of voter awareness programmes. They have been advised to make sure that the affidavits that are filed by the Candidates at the time of nomination detailing their movable/immovable assets, qualifications, convictions, cases pending in courts, are displayed prominently and made available for public scrutiny without any loss of time.

They have specifically been advised to tour their respective allotted Assembly Constituency extensively and build confidence among weaker and disadvantaged sections.

They will constantly review execution of non-bailable warrants, recovery of illicit arms and collection of licensed arms from undesirable elements. They will monitor strictly the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct. (ANI)