The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 1,111 Central Observers for the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states.
According to the ECI, the observers have been appointed to help ensure that the elections are conducted in a violence-free and inducement-free manner, allowing every voter to cast their vote without fear or favour.
The Commission said the observers will act as its “eyes and ears” on the ground. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had earlier stressed the need for free and fair polls while announcing the election schedule.
State-wise observer deployment
A total of 557 General Observers, 188 Police Observers, and 366 Expenditure Observers have been deployed across the elections.
Assam
126 Assembly Constituencies
51 General Observers
35 Police Observers
50 Expenditure Observers
Kerala
140 Assembly Constituencies
51 General Observers
17 Police Observers
40 Expenditure Observers
Tamil Nadu
234 Assembly Constituencies
136 General Observers
40 Police Observers
151 Expenditure Observers
West Bengal
294 Assembly Constituencies
294 General Observers
84 Police Observers
100 Expenditure Observers
Puducherry
30 Assembly Constituencies
17 General Observers
4 Police Observers
17 Expenditure Observers
Bye-elections
8 Assembly Constituencies
8 General Observers
8 Police Observers
8 Expenditure Observers
Observers to reach constituencies by March 18
The Election Commission has directed all observers to be stationed in their respective Assembly Constituencies by March 18, 2026.
After arriving, they will make their contact details public and announce a daily time slot during which candidates, political parties, their representatives, and members of the public can raise election-related grievances.
What the law says
The Commission appoints Central Observers under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Their role is to assist in the conduct of free and fair elections and oversee the management of the electoral process at the field level.
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ECI Deploys 1,111 Central Observers for 2026 Assembly Elections in 5 States and Bye-polls
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The Election Commission of India has deployed 1,111 Central Observers for the 2026 Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six states.
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ECI Sends 1,111 Observers for Assembly Polls and Bye-elections
1,111 Central Observers Deployed for 2026 State Assembly Elections
Assembly Elections 2026: ECI Deploys 1,111 Observers Across 5 States/UTs
source :PIB
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