1,111 Central Observers deployed for the Legislative Assembly Elections in 5 States/UTs and bye-elections

Election Commission India (ECI) has deployed 1,111 Observers for the ongoing General Election to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and the bye-elections in 6 States. It may be recalled that CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar, while announcing the schedule for the general elections had asserted that the elections be conducted in a violence-free and inducement-free manner so that each elector can cast his/her vote without fear or favour . Accordingly, the Observers will function as the eyes and ears of the Commission in ensuring this objective is met. Details of the 1,111 Observers deployed in the ongoing general and bye-elections are as follows: NUMBER OF GENERAL AND POLICE OBSERVER DEPLOYED IN ONGOING GENERAL/BYE ELECTION - 2026 Name of the State/UT No. of ACs No. of General Observers deployed No. of Police Observers deployed No. of Expenditure Observers deployed Assam 126 51 35 50 Kerala 140 51 17 40 Tamil Nadu 234 136 40 151 West Bengal 294 294 84 100 Puducherry 30 17 4 17 Bye-elections 8 8 8 8 TOTAL 832 557 188 366 The Commission has directed that the Observers be stationed in their respective Assembly Constituencies by tomorrow, i.e., March 18, 2026 . The Observers, upon arrival will make public their contact details and will specify a time fixed everyday for meeting the candidates, political parties or their representatives or any member of the public to hear their election-related grievances. The Commission appoints Central Observers under the powers conferred on it by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to assist the Commission in the conduct of free and fair polls. They also oversee the efficient and effective management of the electoral process at the field level.