ECI deploys Central Observers for Bihar Assembly election and bye-elections in 8 constituencies
The Election Commission said on 19 October 2025 that it had deployed 121 General and 18 Police Observers for Phase 1 and 122 General and 20 Police Observers for Phase 2 of the Bihar Assembly election, using powers under Article 324 and Section 20B of the RP Act, 1951.
Summary
The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on 19 October 2025 that it had deployed Central Observers to oversee the Bihar Legislative Assembly election and bye-elections in 8 Assembly constituencies. It appoints observers under its plenary powers in Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. For Bihar it deployed 121 General and 18 Police Observers for Phase 1 and 122 General and 20 Police Observers for Phase 2, plus 8 General and 8 Police Observers for the bye-elections. Observers have finished their first round of constituency visits and have been told to stay accessible to parties, candidates and voters and to visit polling stations.
Key facts
- Legal basis
- Article 324 of the Constitution; Section 20B, RP Act, 1951
- Phase 1
- 121 General + 18 Police Observers
- Phase 2
- 122 General + 20 Police Observers
- Bye-elections (8 ACs)
- 8 General + 8 Police Observers
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under which Article of the Constitution does the Election Commission exercise the plenary powers used to appoint Central Observers?
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Correct answer: C — Article 324
PIB: the Commission appoints Central Observers under the plenary powers conferred by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the RP Act, 1951.
Which section of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 provides for the appointment of observers by the Election Commission?
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Correct answer: A — Section 20B
PIB: Central Observers are appointed under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
Consider the following statements about observers for the Bihar elections 2025: 1. 121 General Observers were deployed for Phase 2. 2. 8 General and 8 Police Observers were deployed for the bye-elections in 8 Assembly constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. PIB: Phase 1 had 121 General Observers and Phase 2 had 122; 8 General and 8 Police Observers were deployed for the 8 bye-elections.