NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Friday appointed ex-IPS officer N K Mishra and ex-IRS officer Pratap Singh as special observers for West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, respectively, tasked with overseeing the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll as well as the preparedness and conduct of impending assembly poll in the two states.Polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam and Kerala as well as the UT of Puducherry are expected to be held in April-May. EC usually appoints special observers after announcement of Lok Sabha/assembly poll schedule.“As a special observer, you will oversee that the process of SIR is strictly as per the directions of the commission issued from time to time. You will be required to visit West Bengal/Tamil Nadu from time to time to observe the ongoing SIR…poll preparedness and the conduct of forthcoming general election to the legislative assembly of West Bengal/Tamil Nadu, 2026, and give your inputs to the commission for necessary action,” EC said in separate communications sent to Mishra and Singh on Friday.EC asked the two retired officers — who will be under its superintendence — to visit their respective states in coordination with the chief electoral officer concerned. Per rules of the Election Commsission, special observers are paid a base slab of Rs 1 lakh for a two-week deployment, which goes up by Rs 25,000 with each extra week of deployment.Mishra had served as DGP of Sikkim and as special director in the Intelligence Bureau. Singh had served with Income Tax (Investigation) in Tamil Nadu.
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