The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to deploy officials, called micro-observers, at specific polling stations to keep a watch during the Madhya Pradesh polls slated for November 27, officials said.
The micro-observers are being appointed from among the officials of the central government and the central public sector undertakings and they would work under the supervision of general observers, said officials at the state election office on Saturday.
The election commission, the officials said, had issued guidelines and a checklist for the micro-observers, who under no circumstances would act as presiding officer or polling officer.
Their task would be to observe that the election process is being carried out in a free and fair manner. The micro-observers would be trained about issues related to polling.
JS Mathur, Madhya Pradesh chief electoral officer, told IANS that the commission has taken several measures to ensure free and fair elections.
Officers and employees engaged in the polling duty would be under strict vigil by observers.
"There would be a perfect mix and match of the officers and employees of different departments to ensure that no individual is able to influence a polling booth.
{{/usCountry}}"There would be a perfect mix and match of the officers and employees of different departments to ensure that no individual is able to influence a polling booth.
{{/usCountry}}"Highlight of this process would be that the central observers would inform the officials concerned about their duty point just before leaving for the job. No one would know in advance about his or her duty venue," said Mathur.