**CEC Gyanesh Kumar Highlights Crucial Role of Election Observers Ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025**
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Friday described election observers as the beacons of democracy, emphasizing their vital role in ensuring free and fair elections across the country, according to a report by news agency ANI.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently organised a detailed briefing in New Delhi for general, police, and expenditure observers who will be deployed as Central Observers for the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly Elections 2025, as well as bye-elections in certain states. A total of 425 officers attended the session, including 287 Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, 58 Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, and 80 officers from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Indian Railway Accounts Service (IRAS), Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), and other services.
CEC Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, addressed the Central Observers. “Observers are the beacons of democracy. As the Commission’s eyes and ears, you must familiarise yourselves with all election laws, rules, and guidelines, provide direct field inputs, and ensure strict and impartial compliance,” said CEC Kumar.
Observers were instructed to remain fully accessible to political parties, candidates, and voters to facilitate grievance redressal. They were also directed to conduct regular visits to polling stations to ensure the implementation of recent initiatives by the poll body aimed at improving voter convenience and strengthening the electoral process.
The ECI has appointed Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. These officers play a crucial role in assisting the Commission with smooth election conduct, overseeing field-level management, and ensuring transparency at every stage of the electoral process.
On September 30, the ECI published the final electoral roll for the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The total number of electors in the final list stands at 7.42 crore, down from 7.89 crore registered on June 24. The Commission reported that 65 lakh voters were deleted from the draft list, including 3.66 lakh ineligible electors.
Bihar is expected to go to the polls later this year, with Central Observers playing a key role in ensuring that elections are conducted fairly and efficiently.
*(With ANI inputs)*
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/bihar-assembly-elections-2025-eci-briefs-central-observers-for-smooth-polling-transparency-23597086