ECI Briefs Observers Ahead of Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana Assembly Elections

The briefing, held at Rang Bhawan Auditorium in New Delhi, was attended by General, Police, and Expenditure Observers from various central services, including the IAS, IPS, and IRS.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) today organized a briefing session for over 400 senior officers who will serve as Observers in the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. S S Sandhu, personally addressed the Observers, emphasizing the critical role they play in ensuring the smooth and fair conduct of the elections.

The briefing, held at Rang Bhawan Auditorium in New Delhi, was attended by General, Police, and Expenditure Observers from various central services, including the IAS, IPS, and IRS. The Observers were reminded of their responsibility to maintain professionalism, accessibility, and vigilance in their assigned constituencies. They were also advised to overcome any language barriers and ensure clear communication with all stakeholders, including candidates and the general public.

The CEC underscored the importance of the Observers’ inputs in maintaining the integrity of the election process and urged them to be alert to any false narratives that could disrupt the elections. Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar highlighted the Observers' role in monitoring the entire election ecosystem, while Dr. Sandhu emphasized the need for accessibility, visibility, and responsiveness to enhance election conduct.

During the session, the Observers were provided with detailed guidance on various aspects of election management, including the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, election expenditure monitoring, and voter facilitation under the SVEEP program. They were also introduced to the ECI’s IT initiatives and mobile applications designed to facilitate efficient election management.

The briefing concluded with a demonstration of EVMs and VVPATs, ensuring the Observers are well-versed in the technical and procedural safeguards of the election process.