UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — EC holds briefing for observers in poll-bound States
Q1. With reference to the Central Observers deployed by the Election Commission of India for the 2026 Assembly Elections, who among the following best describes an 'Expenditure Observer'?
- A. An IAS officer who oversees the overall conduct of elections in the assigned constituencies
- B. An IRS officer who monitors candidates' election expenditure to curb the use of money power
- C. An IPS officer who supervises deployment of central armed police forces and law-and-order
- D. A retired High Court judge who audits the post-poll expenditure returns filed by candidates
Q2. With reference to the categories of Central Observers deployed by the Election Commission of India for the 2026 Legislative Assembly Elections, consider the following:
1. General Observers
2. Police Observers
3. Expenditure Observers
4. Judicial Observers
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as categories of Central Observers deployed by the ECI?
- General Observers
- Police Observers
- Expenditure Observers
- Judicial Observers
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 3 and 4 only
Q3. The appointment of Observers by the Election Commission of India to ensure free and fair elections, as exercised during the 2026 Assembly polls, derives its explicit statutory basis from which one of the following?
- A. Article 324 of the Constitution of India
- B. Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
- C. Section 13CC of the Representation of the People Act, 1950
- D. Section 28A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
Q4. How many General Observers were briefed by the Election Commission of India in February 2026 for deployment in the forthcoming Assembly Elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal?
- A. 233
- B. 497
- C. 714
- D. 1,444