Jammu, Sep 28: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday deployed central observers – General, Police, and Expenditure – for Bihar assembly elections and bye-elections in eight assembly segments of other states and UTs, including Budgam and Nagrota constituencies of J&K.
The central observers have been deployed by the ECI, under the plenary powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and the powers conferred on it by Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to watch the conduct of elections in a constituency.
Deployment of observers finally ended the speculation about the time and schedule of long-pending bye-elections to two vacant seats in the 90-member J&K Legislative Assembly.
The main objective of the observers is to identify areas for improvement and to formulate concrete and operative recommendations.
They work under the superintendence, control, and discipline of the Commission for the period from their appointment until the process of election is completed.
Nagrota seat had fallen vacant after the sad and sudden demise of BJP legislator and its senior leader Devender Singh Rana on October 31, 2024, days after the result of J&K assembly elections. The election result was announced on October 8, 2024.
The Budgam seat was vacated by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on October 21, 2024. He contested from two seats – Budgam and Ganderbal. Later, he vacated the Budgam seat and decided to retain the Ganderbal seat- his family’s bastion.
Though no party has yet announced any candidate for these assembly segments for the Nagrota seat, perceived to be BJP’s stronghold, Devyani Rana, late Devender Rana’s daughter, is being seen as (BJP’s) potential candidate.
For the Budgam seat, where the National Conference at present seems to be in a dominant position, a couple of names have been in circulation since it was vacated by the Chief Minister. However, the party, so far, has not dropped any clear hints.
“ECI has decided to deploy 470 Officers (320 IAS, 60 from IPS and 90 from IRS/IRAS/ICAS etc.,) serving in various States as Central observers (General, Police and Expenditure) for the forthcoming general election to the legislative assembly of Bihar and bye-elections in Jammu and Kashmir (AC-Budgam and Nagrota), Rajasthan (AC- Anta), Jharkhand (AC-Ghatsila), Telangana (AC – Jubilee Hills), Punjab (AC – Tarn Taran), Mizoram (AC – Dampa) and Odisha (AC-Nuapada),” read ECI statement.
The observers are entrusted with the crucial and solemn responsibility to ensure the fairness, impartiality, and credibility of elections, which ultimately form the bedrock of our democratic polity. They act as eyes and ears of the Commission and keep reporting to the Commission periodically and on a need basis.
They not only help the Commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of conducting free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections but also contribute towards enhancing voter awareness and participation in elections.
By dint of their seniority and long experience in the administrative services, General and Police observers assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.
Expenditure Observers are appointed to observe the election expenses incurred by the candidates.
ECI is likely to announce the Bihar assembly election schedule by mid-October.
Earlier, on September 24, after a prolonged wait, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had also announced the conduct of biennial elections to four vacant seats in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), from Jammu and Kashmir on October 24.
