The Election Commission of India is leaving no stone unturned for the 2026 assembly elections in five states, briefing a massive contingent of 1,444 central observers over two intensive days in New Delhi. Led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and supported by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, the workshops at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management aim to sharpen oversight skills.
From February 5 to 6, 2026, three batches cover 714 general, 233 police, and 497 expenditure observers for Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. They will scrutinize the entire process across 824 seats, embodying ECI’s resolve for impartiality.
Kumar hailed them as energizers for the election apparatus, stressing uncompromised fairness and legal fidelity. Sandhu urged a relational approach: befriend officials, offer wisdom, publicize presence, and fix voter issues instantly to uphold trust.
Joshi mandated precise adherence to protocols, punctual voter slip delivery, and democratic ethos preservation. Comprehensive sessions clarified voter lists, digital tools, media handling, and operational nuances.
As the Commission’s on-site sentinels under Article 324 and RPA Section 20B, observers must master regulations, engage stakeholders freely, audit polling facilities, and channel real-time feedback. This meticulous preparation signals ECI’s proactive stance, poised to deliver elections that reflect the true will of the people in these vibrant democracies.