New Delhi, Feb. 5 -- The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to conduct a two-day training programme for central election observers on February 5-6 at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in New Delhi, as part of preparations for the upcoming Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, Kerala and West Bengal. The Commission has shortlisted around 1,500 senior officers from the IAS, IPS and IRS, who will be deployed as general, police and expenditure observers during the elections. The four states and one Union Territory are expected to go to polls in April-May this year. "Observers are the eyes and ears of the Commission. They are expected to function independently of the lo...