The Election Commission of India (ECI) has organized briefing meetings for the General, Police, and Expenditure Observers designated as Central Observers for the upcoming General Elections in several states: Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. A total of 1,444 officers has been summoned, comprising 477 General Observers, 451 Police Observers, and 516 Expenditure Observers, with the meetings scheduled over February 5 and 6, 2026, at the Indian Institute of Democracy and Electoral Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, led the briefing sessions. CEC Kumar emphasized the critical role of the Observers as beacons of the ECI, highlighting their responsibility to uphold free, fair, and transparent elections across 824 constituencies. He stated that the presence of the Observers would invigorate the election machinery.
Commissioner Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu advised the Observers to serve as supportive figures for the election officials, encouraging them to maintain public visibility and accessibility to promptly address elector grievances, thereby preventing perceptions of bias. Dr. Vivek Joshi further instructed the Observers to ensure full compliance with ECI directives, underscoring the importance of neutrality and democratic principles. He also emphasized the timely distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) to voters to avoid inconveniences during polling. The Commission facilitated a doubt-clearing session and provided updates on the Electoral Rolls preparation and electoral conduct in the five states/UTs. Observers were educated about relevant IT applications, platforms, and media issues pertinent to the elections.
In their capacity as the Commission’s representatives, the Central Observers are required to familiarize themselves with all pertinent election laws, rules, and guidelines, and to offer direct feedback to ensure adherence to these standards. They were directed to remain accessible to political entities and candidates, ensuring swift resolution of voter grievances. Additionally, the Observers were tasked with visiting polling stations to oversee the implementation of recent ECI initiatives aimed at enhancing voter convenience, particularly the fulfillment of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs). The appointment of these Central Observers is grounded in the powers bestowed by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, aimed at facilitating a transparent electoral process and effective management at the field level.