The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday organised a briefing for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections and byelections in certain States.

The briefing was attended by 287 Indian Administrative Service officials, 58 Indian Police Service officers, and 80 officers from other services. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, addressed the participants.

In his remarks, the CEC described the Observers as beacons of democracy. “As the Commission’s eyes and ears, the Central Observers were asked to familiarise themselves with all the election laws, rules, and guidelines, provide direct field inputs and ensure their strict and impartial compliance. The Observers were instructed to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates, and voters for the redressal of their grievances,” said an EC release.

The Observers were also directed to visit polling stations and ensure the implementation of the recent initiatives introduced by the Commission for the convenience of voters.

The Commission appoints Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, to assist in the conduct of free and fair elections. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the ground level.