All 14 West Bengal IAS officers deputed earlier by the Election Commission as central observers for the upcoming Assembly elections attended a detailed observers’ briefing organised in New Delhi on Friday. The officers, including state Home Secretary Jagdish Prasad Meena, participated in sessions covering their responsibilities during the poll process.
One woman officer from the West Bengal cadre had been granted exemption from the assignment earlier due to unavoidable family circumstances.
Overall, 1,444 central observers were briefed in three batches—comprising 714 general observers, 233 police observers and 497 expenditure observers—in connection with elections scheduled in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. During the final round of training on Friday, which included West Bengal IAS officers, participants were oriented on preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of polling, expenditure monitoring, information technology systems and media-related procedures. Demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were also conducted.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasised strict compliance with electoral laws and Commission guidelines, stressing that observers must ensure free, fair and transparent polls. Election Commissioner S. S. Sandhu highlighted the responsibility carried by central observers as field representatives of the Commission and urged them to maintain neutrality and professionalism. Election Commissioner Vivek Joshi advised prompt redressal of complaints, noting that timely action strengthens public trust in the electoral process.
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