New Delhi witnessed a crucial preparatory step for India’s upcoming assembly elections as the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted comprehensive briefings for central observers deployed across five key states. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, addressed over 1,444 officials in a series of sessions held at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management.
The two-day program, spanning February 5 and 6, 2026, is divided into three batches. It includes 714 general observers, 233 police observers, and 497 expenditure observers, all tasked with ensuring the polls in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal are free, fair, and transparent. These observers will act as the Commission’s eyes and ears on the ground, monitoring every stage of the electoral process.
In his keynote address, CEC Kumar emphasized the observers’ pivotal role in bolstering the election machinery across 824 constituencies. ‘Your presence will infuse strength and vigor into the entire process,’ he stated, urging strict adherence to electoral laws and unwavering impartiality at every step.
Dr. Sandhu advised observers to serve as friends, philosophers, and guides to regional election officials. He stressed the need for high visibility upon arrival, accessibility to all stakeholders, and prompt resolution of voter grievances to preempt any allegations of bias.
Dr. Joshi focused on operational precision, directing flawless implementation of ECI guidelines, timely distribution of voter slips, and upholding democratic values. Doubt-clearing sessions covered voter list preparation, IT applications, media management, and more, with senior officials providing in-depth clarifications.
Empowered under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, these observers will oversee field-level management, interact with political parties and candidates, inspect polling stations for minimum facilities, and report directly to the Commission. This proactive training underscores ECI’s commitment to impeccable elections amid high-stakes contests in these diverse states.