The Election Commission of India has named Pratap Singh, a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, as the Special Observer for overseeing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls and the upcoming General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu in 2026. Singh’s role involves ensuring strict adherence to the Commission’s directives throughout the revision process. He is tasked with making periodic visits to Tamil Nadu to monitor the revision of electoral rolls, assess poll readiness, and report back to the Commission for necessary actions.
Singh has been instructed to coordinate his visits with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Tamil Nadu. The Chief Electoral Officer will provide all necessary support, materials, and arrangements during Singh’s visits to the state in preparation for the upcoming election. Additionally, the directive prohibits Singh from issuing any form of appreciation letters to election officials during his tenure as the Special Observer or thereafter in the same capacity.
The directive further mandates that if Singh believes any election official deserves recognition, he must submit a detailed proposal to the Election Commission justifying his recommendation. This measure aims to maintain transparency and accountability in the electoral process, ensuring that any commendations are thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Commission before being issued.
