TFP Bureau, New Delhi, March 11, 2024: In preparation for the upcoming General Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a comprehensive briefing session for over 2150 senior officers, including IAS, IPS, and officers from other Central Services. The session, held in a hybrid mode at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, aimed to equip the observers with the necessary tools and insights to ensure the smooth conduct of elections across various States and Union Territories.
Chief Election Commissioner Sh. Rajiv Kumar addressed the gathering, emphasizing the crucial role of observers in upholding the principles of free, fair, and intimidation-free elections. He urged the observers to conduct themselves professionally and remain accessible to all stakeholders, including candidates, while maintaining a level playing field for all.
Key directives issued during the briefing included:
1. **Physical Confinement:** Observers were instructed to remain physically within the boundaries of the Parliamentary Constituency allotted to them throughout the electoral process. GPS tracking may be implemented to monitor their movements.
2. **Accessibility:** Observers were directed to widely publicize their contact information, including mobile numbers, email addresses, and places of stay, on official websites and through various media channels to ensure easy accessibility to candidates and political parties.
3. Prompt Response: Observers were advised to remain available at all times and respond promptly to calls from candidates, political parties, and the general public. Any complaints received were to be addressed seriously by the Commission.
4. Neutrality: Liaison Officers and security personnel accompanying the observers were to be briefed and sensitized regarding the importance of maintaining neutrality and integrity in their duties.
5. Diligent Oversight: Observers were tasked with diligently overseeing the deployment of forces, randomization processes, and the use of election-related portals to ensure a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.
6. Field Visits: Observers were encouraged to visit polling stations and vulnerable areas, interact with local residents, and identify any vulnerabilities or criticalities that may impact the electoral process.
The briefing sessions also covered various aspects of election management, including electoral roll issues, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, EVM/VVPAT management, media engagement, and voter facilitation under the SVEEP programme.
The observers were provided with detailed insights into IT initiatives and mobile applications launched by the Commission for voter facilitation and effective management of election processes in the field. Additionally, they received a functional demonstration of EVMs and VVPATs, along with briefings on technical security features and administrative protocols.
Background:
Observers play a vital role in overseeing the election process and ensuring its fairness, impartiality, and credibility. Deployed under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, these observers are entrusted with upholding the democratic principles of free and fair elections. Their role in identifying areas for improvement and formulating recommendations is instrumental in enhancing voter awareness and participation, thereby strengthening the democratic fabric of the country.
