IAS, IPS officers to act as observers for general polls in UP

Lucknow, Mar 6 (ANI): Chief Election Commissioner of India N Gopalaswami has asserted that Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers would act as observers during the ensuing general elections.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday at the end of a brief tour of Uttar Pradesh by the members of Election Commission, Gopalaswami clarified the stance taken by the Election Commission on the reported scarcity of IAS officers for observer duty.

"We have complete information about the officers who are present in the district. So with that, we will assess their performance and take appropriate action wherever the performance is not good or the officers, if there is some doubt about the officer's capability," said Gopalaswami.

He also assured that the Election Commission would not make any compromises in organising free and fair elections in Uttar Pradesh, and also termed the general elections preparedness in the state as satisfactory.

"No compromise on free and fair elections. Mobilisation of micro-observers from other phased areas should be undertaken. Micro-observers coverage should be effective and to the extent of at least 25 per cent," he added. (ANI)