OBSREVERS

Observers appointed by the Election Commission Extension of due courtesies and facilities.

Election Commission's letter No. 464/OBS/93 dated 30th March, 1993 addressed to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories and the Chief Electoral Officers of all States and Union Territories.

Subject : Observers appointed by the Election Commission-Extension of due courtesies and facilities.

Instances have come to the notice of the Commission in which observers appointed by the Commission to oversee the process of election and election related work, like revision of electoral rolls or elections, were not extended adequate facilities to enable them to work independently and effectively as Commission's Observers.

2. These Observers are appointed by virtue of the plenary powers of the Commission under article 324 of the Constitution of India, and are, in every sense officers of the Commission. The Commission appoints them with particular regard to the fact that they will serve as reliable and independent sources of feed back information from the field; and due to their seniority and length of experience in administration be able to provide necessary guidance to the electoral machinery in the field, if and when situation so warrants.

3. With a view to specifying the facilities that must be provided to the Observers as unavoidable essentials the following inventory, which is still illustrative and not complete, is prescribed herewith:-

(i) Arrangements to receive them and see them off after ascertaining their program in advance;

(ii) Arrangements for adequate, well equipped and reliable transport;

(iii) Arrangements for lodging at a place easily accessible to political parties and candidates and which is well secured;

(iv) Arrangements to make their place of stay and telephone number widely known to political parties and candidates;

(v) Foolproof arrangements for their security from the point of arrival to departure back to their respective places of origin, especially during travel to, stay and tours in the constituencies allocated to them;

(vi) Secretarial assistance;

(vii) Local guide;

(viii) Reliable telecommunication facilities with the Election Commission;

(ix) Local reliable communication facilities with Returning Officers and Chief Electoral Officer, D.G. Police and other officers of the State Government; and

(x) all other arrangements as would ensure their efficient, secure, independent and smooth functioning as Commission's Officers.

4. Any failure on the part of concerned State Government/Union Territory Chief Electoral Officer, District Election Officer etc. to provide them full facilities will be looked upon by the Commission as a gross defiance of the Commission's instructions and invite appropriate action.



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