NEW DELHI, JAN 15, 2020: THE Election Commission of India yesterday organized a Briefing Meeting for Observers to be deployed for the forthcoming NCT of Delhi Legislative Assembly Elections, for which schedule was announced on January 6, 2020.  Poll date for the single phased election for Delhi's 70 constituencies is February 8, 2020 and Counting will be held on February 11, 2020. More than 150 officers drawn from IAS, IPS as also from Indian Revenue Service and other Central Services were called for the General, Police and Expenditure Observers briefing yesterday. Adequate number of officers would be deployed on actual duty.

Addressing the Observers, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora advised them to maintain close coordination with officers teams deputed in the field and to remain accessible at all times. Mr. Arora particularly asked them to follow ECI's guidelines with full sincerity and devotion and adhere to code of ethics with no laxity at all in performing assigned tasks. He asked the Observers to ensure due Assured Minimum Facilities at all the Polling booths. Despite the fact that infrastructure in national capital is better than many places in the hinterland, he asked the Observers to visit the Polling Booths to check due facilitation to senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities and women voters to ensure  Commission's commitment to principle of Inclusive Elections. He reiterated that ECI shall not tolerate any wilful lapses.

Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa emphasized the significance of role of Observers. Wherever critical interventions are required to ensure that no lapses, even of the smallest nature,  cause disruption in the Electoral Process, Mr Lavasa said the officers should attend to it promptly. Familiarisation with laid down instructions and attention to specific details of additional facilities being initiated in Delhi Elections, such as Absentee Voter Facilitation to essential services categories, 80+ aged voters as also marked PwDs; QR code reader on Photo Voter Slips, would aid efficacy of Observers assigned the duty. He advised officers to be proactive to redress complaints and ensure impartiality while discharging their duties.