EC appoints special observers in states; countering false narratives on agenda
The Hindu
Besides general, expenditure and police observers, the EC had been deploying special observers in poll-going states.
The Election Commission on April 02 appointed special observers for administrative, security and expenditure monitoring purposes in several states to ensure a level playing field during the upcoming elections.
The special observers — former civil servants with brilliant track record — have been tasked with overseeing the electoral process with strict vigilance, particularly against the backdrop of challenges posed by the influence of money, muscle and misinformation, the poll panel said.
Special Observers (General and Police) have been deployed in West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar where the population is more than seven crore and also in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha where the simultaneous elections to the Assemblies are to be held, the poll authority said.
Also read: Lok Sabha election live updates - April 02, 2024
Special Expenditure Observers have also been deployed in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, it said.
Besides general, expenditure and police observers, the EC had been deploying special observers in poll-going states.
Special observers will station themselves at the state headquarters and if needed, tour the areas where sensitivity is high and necessary coordination is required, the poll panel said.
Political economist Parakala Prabhakar has described the exit poll results as “fudged figures”, saying that those would benefit the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) only. “False predictions were given with the sole objective of helping the NDA in rigging during the counting,” alleged Mr. Prabhakar, after releasing a book titled ‘Avineeti Chakravarthi Narendra Modi’ penned by former Minister Vadde Shobanadreeswara Rao, here, on June 2 (Sunday).