The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Sunday the deployment of Central Observers for the Bihar Assembly elections and the bye-elections in Budgam and Nagrota constituencies. This action underscores the Commission’s commitment to uphold electoral integrity and ensure smooth voting across different regions.
The deployment of Central Observers aligns with the Commission’s authority under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These observers will oversee the electoral process and help maintain the highest standards of fairness and transparency in elections.
The decision marks the culmination of weeks regarding the schedule for long-pending bye-elections in Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly comprising 90 seats. The two key constituencies affected by this announcement are Budgam and Nagrota.
- The Nagrota seat became vacant following the unexpected demise of BJP legislator Devender Singh Rana on October 31, 2024. Recent speculation suggests that his daughter, Devyani Rana, may be a potential candidate for the party, although no official decisions have emerged yet.
- In Budgam, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated his seat on October 21, 2024. He chose to retain his position in Ganderbal, having contested in both constituencies. The National Conference stands strong in Budgam but has not announced its candidate yet.
To cater to these significant electoral events, the ECI has deployed a total of 470 officers. This team includes 320 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officials, 60 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, and 90 from Indian Revenue Service and other related services. Their collective goal is to ensure a credible electoral process throughout Bihar and the eight other states and Union Territories involved in the bye-elections.
These Central Observers function as the eyes and ears of the Election Commission, taking on critical responsibilities that include:
- Monitoring the conduct of polls under the Commission’s supervision.
- Ensuring law and order, along with proper management of the electoral process.
- Tracking election expenditure by candidates to prevent malpractice.
- Encouraging voter awareness and participation during the elections.
“The observers are entrusted with the crucial responsibility of upholding the impartiality and credibility of elections – the bedrock of democratic polity,” stated the ECI.
The Election Commission is anticipated to announce the schedule for the Bihar Assembly elections by mid-October. Meanwhile, it has set October 24, 2025 as the date for biennial elections to fill four empty Rajya Sabha seats from Jammu and Kashmir.
This deployment reflects the ECI’s proactive approach towards electoral management and its commitment to democratic principles. With the Central Observers in place, voters can expect an environment that promotes transparency, fairness, and active civic engagement in the upcoming electoral processes across Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir.
