A total 73 Odisha-Cadre IAS and IPS officers as well as IRS officers posted in the State have been roped in as Central Observers for the five election-bound States of Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
A training programme in virtual mode was conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for these Central Observers in the Lokaseva Bhawan here. Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Kumar Lohani along with his team of officers was present.
All the three Election Commissioners including Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra attended the programme and addressed the participants. They urged the officers to feel proud of being part of the mega exercise.
They further advised them to guide the electoral process while on duty ensuring that all Covid protocols are followed in letter and spirit. The Election Commission emphasized on the neutrality and impartiality of the Central Observers.
They advised the Observers to ensure that the local administration conducts the elections in a free, fair and impartial manner in a Covid safe environment.
General Secretary ECI Umesh Sinha and other senior officers of the Commission made thematic presentations on the different aspects of conduct of election during the pandemic situation.