Bhubaneswar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday announced a Special Observer in Odisha to provide critical feedback and vigilant oversight for a level playing field recognising the challenges posed by the influence of money, muscle, and misinformation.
The Special Observers appointed are former civil servants with a brilliant track record of domain expertise and experience with election processes. A briefing chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu was held on March 28, 2024, at the Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi.
The Special Observers (Police and General) have been entrusted with the crucial task of supervising the randomisation of personnel, security forces, and voting machines, thereby thwarting any attempts to subvert the democratic process and a level playing field. Special Expenditure Observer has also been deployed in Odisha. The menace of money power and distribution of illicit liquor and freebies is also a concern for the Commission. The General and Police Special Observer deployed in Odisha are General Special Observer Yogendra Tripathi, IAS (Retd) and Police Special Observer Rajnikant Mishra, IPS (Retd).
