Jubilee Hills bypoll: ECI sends central observers; notification after Diwali
According to the ECI, the observers will act as its ‘eyes and ears,’ reporting directly to the commission and ensuring impartial conduct of elections
By Newsmeter Network
New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday said it has appointed central observers to oversee the upcoming bye-election in the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency of Telangana, as part of a wider deployment across several states.
The Jubliee Hills poll will be announced with the Bihar election schedule. According to sources, the notification for the elections will be issued after Diwali.
IAS and IPS officers among Central Observers
The commission said observers drawn from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) will monitor the poll process to ensure it is free, fair and transparent.
In total, 470 officers – including 320 IAS, 60 IPS and 90 IRS/IRAS/ICAS officials – have been deployed for elections in Bihar and bye-polls in eight states, including Telangana.
According to the ECI, the observers will act as its ‘eyes and ears,’ reporting directly to the commission and ensuring impartial conduct of elections. General and Police Observers will oversee poll arrangements and law and order, while Expenditure Observers will track candidates’ spending.
Bye-elections in other states
The commission said the deployment is made under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which empowers it to appoint observers to safeguard electoral integrity.
Bye-elections will also be held in Jammu & Kashmir (Budgam and Nagrota), Rajasthan (Anta), Jharkhand (Ghatsila), Punjab (Tarn Taran), Mizoram (Dampa) and Odisha (Nuapada), alongside the Bihar Assembly polls.
