The Hindu 05.11.2009
33 observers for GHMC polls
They will oversee nominations, inspect polling booths, keep a tab on election expenditure, etc
600 micro-observers will also be deputed to keep a watch on the 1,533 sensitive polling stations
HYDERABAD: The State Election Commission (SEC) has appointed 33 senior IAS/IFS officers as general election observers to assist the Commission in conduct of a free and fair poll.
Each observer has been allotted five to six wards to oversee proper conduct of elections and ensure strict compliance of the code.
These observers are in addition to the 600 micro-observers to be appointed to keep a watch on the 1,533 sensitive polling stations in the twin cities. SEC Commissioner A.V. Reddy briefed them on Wednesday.
‘Eyes and ears of SEC’
Mr. Reddy said the election observers will guide and watch field level election machinery on behalf of the SEC. He described them as the eyes and ears of the Commission. Booklets containing guidelines, manual of election laws, compendium of various SEC instructions, orders on reservation of wards, election notifications/symbols notification were handed over to them.
He explained about the duties of the observers to oversee nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal of candidates, random inspection of polling stations, implementation of moral code of conduct during peak campaign period and so on.
Observers briefed
The observers should ensure filing of FIRs for commission of electoral offences and violation of excise laws.
They were also told about the work to be done on the counting day and how to keep a tab on the election expenditure of the candidates.
IAS officers drafted as observers include G.N. Phani Kumar, G. Ananatha Ramu, K. Chandramouli, N.K. Prasad, B. Aravinda Reddy, Adhar Sinha, R. Karikal Valaven, N. Nageshwar Rao, Jayesh Ranjan, Manmohan Singh, M. Jagadeeshwar, D. Srinivasulu, M.V. Satyanarayana, N. Siva Sankar, A. Koteshwar Rao, Vijay Kumar and Vikas Raj.
IFS officers are – K. Tirupataiah, Manoranjan Bhanja, Harish Chandra Mishra, Rakesh Mohan Dobriyal, B.S. Yousuf Sharief, Munindra, Mohd. Ilyas Rizvi, N. Shyam Prasad, D. Nalini Mohan, Y. Madhusudan Reddy, Ch. Iyalaiah, V.B. Ramana Murthy, Ramesh Kumar Suman, R.U. Kashappa and M. Bullaiah. Fifteen other officers have been kept on standby.
Liaison officers
Liaison officers are to be attached to each of the observers by the zonal commissioners concerned. The SEC has also circulated a format for obtaining and circulating specimen signatures of candidates and their election agent to each presiding officer, observers, zonal officers, route officers, etc.
Candidates have also the option of not appointing an agent.
GHMC Commissioner S.P. Singh, Special Commissioners M.T. Krishna Babu, SEC Secretary B. Venkateswara Rao, and others were present.
