The Election Commission held a meeting with 1200 Observers who are being appointed in five poll-bound states to observe the election process.

The Assembly elections are to be held in Goa, Manipur, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh where the date of elections has already been announced.

An official release said that the Commission will appoint 531 General Observers, 178 Expenditure Observers and 89 Police Observers.

In the meeting Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi briefed the observers about poll process yesterday.

The CEC drew the attention of the Observers to their crucial

role in the conduct of elections, specially their vigilance and executive functions.

The Commission called upon the Observers to set new benchmarks in election management in the forthcoming election through stringent observation and display of alertness and ingenuity.

Observers have specifically been advised to tour their respective allotted Assembly Constituency extensively and build confidence among weaker and disadvantaged sections.

They will constantly review execution of non-bailable warrants, recovery of illicit arms and collection of licensed arms from undesirable elements.

The Observers will monitor strictly the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.