EC's code of ethics for observers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The election commission has issued a code of ethics for the election observers, instructing them to abstain from activities like “shopping by availing special discounts and undertaking sight-seeing trips“ during their stay.
The commission has written to all chief electoral officers, asking to enforce the code.
"The observers must not accept any offer of hospitality , avoid shopping at special discounts or attendance at private clubs, gymnasiums, and avoid scenic tours, trips, etc," the communiqué said.
There have been complaints of observers raising unreasonable demands to state election officials. During the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, an IRS officer who was the expenditure observer in Kollam had to be shifted after the commission found that he had travelled to the capital, outside his jurisdiction, for recreational purpose.
The communiqué said the observers would be under the strict scrutiny of various stakeholders, including the media, and any misconduct or discordant behaviour is likely to attract a vicious and unforgiving criticism not only for the observers, but also the election commission. "The observers are not expected to make any unreasonable demands or profligate requests to any other election-related official," it said.
As regards to their task, the observers have been asked to display due diligence and professional acumen in conveying their opinion and reports to the election commission about any election-related incident. They have also been asked to abstain from making any comments related to elections through social media.