Chandigarh: Haryana State Election Commissioner Devinder Singh Kalyan today issued clear and detailed instructions to General, Police and Expenditure Observers while reviewing election preparedness in a meeting held at the Haryana State Election Commission office, Panchkula. He emphasized that conducting elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner is the top priority.
He directed the observers to maintain continuous vigilance over law and order in their respective areas, visit sensitive and hypersensitive polling stations to review security arrangements, and keep strict watch on the distribution of cash, liquor, clothes or any other inducements aimed at influencing voters. Instructions were also given to ensure control over illegal arms, criminal elements and anti-social activities, along with ensuring the security of locations where EVMs are stored.
The State Election Commissioner said that observers should continuously assess the preparedness of the district administration and immediately bring any shortcomings to the notice of the Commission. He clarified that observers will remain stationed at their assigned locations until the entire election process is completed.
Focus on Public Outreach and Grievance Redressal
He said that details of the observers’ place of stay and mobile numbers will be made available to the public through print and electronic media, enabling voters, candidates and political parties to directly reach them with complaints. Observers will remain accessible to all stakeholders and ensure that grievances are promptly forwarded to the concerned authorities for necessary action.
It was also directed that the randomization process of polling personnel and EVMs will be conducted strictly in the presence of observers. They will coordinate with administrative and police officials to review law and order arrangements and basic facilities for voters at polling stations, and will conduct inspections during the election period.
Strict Provisions for Expenditure Monitoring
Issuing specific directions for Expenditure Observers, Sh. Devinder Singh Kalyan said that every candidate must maintain a correct day-to-day account of election expenses from nomination to declaration of results. All expenditures, including those on vehicles, fuel, campaign material, advertisements, food, water and other election-related activities, must remain within the prescribed limits. In case of exceeding the limit or failure to submit accurate accounts, action including disqualification may be taken as per rules.
He directed that Expenditure Observers must regularly scrutinize the accounts of each candidate and ensure inspection at least once every three days. Special vigilance should be maintained to check illegal supply and use of liquor during elections, and necessary action including setting up checkpoints should be taken.
Further, instructions were issued to ensure that candidates are informed in a timely manner about maintenance of expenditure registers, prescribed limits, inspection schedules and reporting procedures. After polling, submission of a detailed expenditure report to the Commission within the stipulated time will be mandatory.
The State Election Commissioner also directed that all complaints received during the election period must be acted upon immediately, and voters should be protected from any form of threat, pressure or inducement. In case of any violence or untoward incident after polling, reports must be submitted to the Commission in the prescribed format.
He further directed that observers will function strictly under the directions of the State Election Commission and will not take instructions from any other authority. In specific cases, they may be directed by the Commission to conduct inquiries and submit reports directly. If required, directions may also be issued to halt the counting process or withhold declaration of results as per prescribed provisions.
Devinder Singh Kalyan stated that the active and responsible role of observers will help build confidence among voters and ensure that the election process is conducted in a fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
On this occasion, Secretary, Haryana State Election Commission, Gaurav Kumar and other senior officers were also present.
