Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. File | Photo: X/@ECISVEEP via ANI Photo
The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday (February 5, 2026) started briefings for General, Police and Expenditure Observers to be deployed as Central Observers for the Legislative Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
A total of 1,444 officers, including 714 General Observers, 233 Police Observers and 497 Expenditure Observers, have been invited for the information sessions to be held in three batches over two days from February 5 to 6.
The briefing was conducted by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.
The CEC said the observers should ensure free, fair and transparent elections and said their presence will boost the entire electoral machinery in the 824 constituencies where the elections will be held.
Senior officials of the EC also briefed observers on various aspects of the preparation of voter lists and the conduct of the elections. During the session, observers were also briefed on IT applications and platforms and media-related matters.
They have been asked to familiarize themselves with all election laws, rules, guidelines and provide inputs directly to the commission and ensure their strict and impartial compliance. They were instructed to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates and ensure timely redressal of voter grievances.
Observers have also been instructed to visit the polling stations and ensure the implementation of the recent initiatives taken by the voter convenience commission, particularly ensuring the provision of minimum facilities (AMF).
Published – 05 Feb 2026 21:19 IST
