Special observer for RS polls Anil Jha arrives in city

Bhubaneswar: Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anil
Kumar Jha who was appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) as the
special observer for the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled to be held on February 7,
arrived here at Bhubaneswar.

Jha will keep a watch on electoral malpractices, if any,
including role of money power and other illegal activities either by the candidate
and their supporters. In case, specific complaints are received, the same will
promptly be looked into by the observer. Besides, the observer will also keep a
constant watch on the news and media reports related to Rajya Sabha polls, the
notification issued by the ECI said.

Besides Odisha, special observers have been appointed for
Andhra Pradesh, Assam and West Bengal.

Earlier on Tuesday, the ECI had issued a notification to this
effect. 

The Commission has already appointed Mona Sharma, CEO, Odisha
as the observer for the Rajya Sabha polls to watch the poll process.

Besides, Director, Investigation (Income Tax) of the
concerned States have also been directed by the Commission to keep a strict
watch on the role of money power in the election.

The special observer has been asked to submit a report to the
Commission after completion of election.