B. Murli, Mrinal named EC's Special Observers for Delhi polls

The Election Commission on Friday said it has appointed former IRS official B. Murli Kumar as Special Expenditure Observer and retired IPS official Mrinal Kanti Das as Special Police Observer for the February 8 Delhi Assembly polls.

The poll panel took the decision after the review meeting with civil and police officials.

Murli Kumar is a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) of the 1983 batch while Das is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of 1977 batch.

As Special Expenditure Observer, the EC said, Kumar, in consultation with the Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, will be supervising and monitoring the work being done by the electoral machinery and ensure that stringent and effective enforcement action is undertaken based on intelligence inputs and complaints received through C-VIGIL, Voter Helpline 1950 against all persons/entities trying to induce voters by distributing cash, liquor and freebies.

Similarly, the Commission said, Das as the Special Police Observer is assigned to oversee the deployment and other security-related issues.

Das, who retired as Director General of Manipur Police, was also deputed earlier as Special Police Observer for Tripura and Mizoram during the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections and also the recently held Jharkhand Assembly elections.

Given his past experience in the Investigation Wing of Income Tax Department, Kumar was also appointed Special Expenditure Observer for Vellore parliamentary constituency in Tamil Nadu and for the recent Assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand.IANS