Bhubaneswar, Sep 28: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the deployment of 470 central observers to oversee the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections, along with eight bye-elections across various states, including the Nuapada Assembly segment in Odisha.

Out of the total observers appointed, 320 are officers from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), 60 are from the Indian Police Service (IPS), and the remaining 90 are drawn from other central services such as the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), and Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS).

These officials will be responsible for monitoring elections not only in Bihar but also in the Budgam and Nagrota constituencies of Jammu and Kashmir, the Anta constituency in Rajasthan, the Ghatsila constituency in Jharkhand, Jubilee Hills in Telangana, Tarn Taran in Punjab, Dampa in Mizoram, and the Nuapada constituency in Odisha.

In its official statement, the ECI emphasized the significant role of central observers in maintaining the integrity and transparency of the election process. The Commission stated that these observers function under its direct superintendence, control, and discipline from the time of their appointment until the conclusion of the electoral process.

The ECI noted that observers are expected to ensure elections are conducted in a fair, impartial, and credible manner. They are also tasked with submitting reports at regular intervals and whenever required.

Additionally, the Commission highlighted that the observers are expected to identify shortcomings in the process and suggest concrete, actionable recommendations to improve future elections.

The bye-election in Odisha’s Nuapada constituency was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Rajendra Dholakia on September 8 due to health-related complications.

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