Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar recently briefed 326 Central Observers, including General, Police, and Expenditure Observers, for the upcoming April 23 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Emphasizing the strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, Kumar directed prompt action in case of any violations during a review meeting. The Observers were instructed to ensure that the elections are conducted in a festive, free, and fair manner, devoid of inducement, intimidation, or violence.
A total of 326 Central Observers and Special Expenditure Observers, along with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu, participated in the briefing via video conferencing. The Chief Election Commissioner, along with Election Commissioners S.S. Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, addressed the Central Observers. For the 234 Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, the Election Commission of India (ECI) deployed 136 general observers, 40 police observers, and 150 expenditure observers.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar stressed the importance of properly checking webcasting monitoring control room arrangements and conducting a trial run in the presence of all monitoring staff. Observers were directed to publicize their contact details for receiving complaints and oversee the training of Presiding Officers. Ensuring a voter-friendly experience, Kumar instructed the observers to provide assured minimum facilities at all polling stations, including mobile phone deposit facilities and benches in voter queues.
