Convener News Desk
New Delhi, Mar 18: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mobilised more than 25 lakh officials to oversee the smooth conduct of Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, along with bye-elections in six other States.
The poll schedule was announced on March 15, 2026.
With an electorate exceeding 17.4 crore voters, the Commission has ensured a robust administrative presence, averaging nearly one election official for every 70 electors to facilitate orderly polling.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar had stressed at the time of announcing the schedule that officials must maintain complete neutrality and integrity so that elections remain free from violence and inducements, enabling voters to exercise their franchise without fear or favour.
To manage the electoral process effectively, nearly 15 lakh polling personnel have been assigned to conduct voting operations, supported by approximately 8.5 lakh security personnel to maintain law and order. Around 40,000 officials have been designated for counting duties, while tens of thousands of micro observers and sector officers have been deployed to supervise polling stations and ensure adherence to procedures. Additional micro observers will also oversee the counting process to strengthen transparency.
At the grassroots level, more than 2.18 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are available to assist voters. Citizens can reach out to them directly through phone or by using the “Book-a-Call to BLO” feature on the ECINet App. A dedicated helpline, 1950 (with the relevant STD code), is also operational at the District Election Officer and Returning Officer levels to register complaints and address queries.
In accordance with Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, all personnel deployed for election duty are deemed to be on deputation to the Election Commission for the duration of the poll process.
Further reinforcing oversight, the Commission has appointed 1,111 Central Observers across 832 Assembly Constituencies. These include General Observers, Police Observers and Expenditure Observers tasked with monitoring various aspects of the elections. Most of them have already reached their respective constituencies and will make their contact details public, setting aside a fixed time each day to meet candidates, political parties and members of the public to hear election-related grievances.
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