Election Commission sends special observer Praveen Kumar to monitor elections in Varanasi as Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal clash

Senior IAS from Tamil Nadu cadre Praveen Kumar has been appointed special observer for Varanasi seat by the Election Commission. 

Chief Electoral Officer Umesh Sinha told reporters that Kumar has been asked to reach Varanasi at the earliest and remain there till electoral process is over.

As part of his duties as special observer, the 1987-batch IAS officer would keep a close watch on election related preparedness and electoral process.

Varanasi which is seeing high pitched battle among BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, Aam Aadmi Party Chief Arvind Kejriwal and Congress' Ajay Rai, will go to polls on May 12.