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Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar held a review meeting on Tuesday with central observers deployed for the Maharashtra Assembly elections and directed them to be accessible to all candidates and parties without any favouritism. Any complaints in this regard shall be viewed seriously.
According to the sources, CEC directed observers to maintain strict vigilance over law and order situations and the flow of any inducements like drugs, liquor, freebies and cash that can be used to vitiate election space. Checking and screening by enforcement agencies shall be done as per established protocol and in a completely impartial manner maintaining a level playing field. Observers should see that central and state police forces are maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political parties or candidates. Kumar directed observers to ensure that the whole election process, specifically the campaign discourse, does not in any manner affect the dignity of women. During polling hours, observers should visit as many polling stations as possible, take an assessment of the situation inside polling stations regularly and ensure polling is going on in a free and fair manner. Ensure all arrangements and ensure minimum facilities are in place at polling stations for ease of voting. Observers should conduct themselves in consonance with the highest standards of professional, personal, and ethical conduct and shall abide by the Commission's guidelines strictly. In 288 ACs in Maharashtra, a total of 142 general observers, 41 police observers and 72 expenditure observers are deployed. According to the polling schedule, the voters from Maharashtra will be casting their ballots on November 20 in a single phase and the counting of votes and results will be declared on November 23. (ANI)
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