As soon as the time of elections comes, the responsibilities of the administration increase manifold. Every vote should be cast safely, the atmosphere should remain calm and there should not be any kind of disturbance. For this, the Election Commission makes many special arrangements. Police observer plays an important role in these arrangements. Recently, the news of replacement of police observer just 48 hours before voting in Nandigram, West Bengal, again brought this post into discussion.

Trinamool Congress had accused the local police officer of bias, after which the Election Commission immediately intervened and decided to change the observer to maintain impartiality. After this incident, questions started arising in the minds of people that who is a police observer, what level of officer is selected for this responsibility and whether he gets separate money for this.

Actually, Police Observer is a senior officer of Indian Police Service i.e. IPS, who is deployed by the Election Commission in a particular Assembly or Lok Sabha constituency. His main job is to keep an eye on the deployment of police force in that area, law and order situation and security arrangements related to elections. He works in coordination between the civil administration and the police administration so that the voting can be completely fair and peaceful. This officer reports directly to the Election Commission, so he can work free from local pressure.

Who is made police observer?

Generally, IPS officers of the rank of SP i.e. Superintendent of Police level or above are made police observers. Many times DIG or IG rank officers are also deployed in this role in sensitive areas. The Election Commission selects such officers whose image is clean and whose past record has been of impartial work. This is the reason why experienced and trustworthy officers are deployed on this post.

What is responsibility?

The responsibility of a police observer is not limited to just monitoring the police force. He has to identify sensitive booths, monitor the deployment of central security forces, prepare reports immediately on receiving complaints and provide regular information to the Election Commission. He especially keeps an eye on law and order on the day of voting. If there is a possibility of any disturbance, he can also recommend immediate action.

According to media reports, an officer is given election allowance when deployed on election duty. This includes one month’s basic pay as well as traveling allowance, accommodation or expenses and other necessary facilities.

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