I've asked this before but never had a definitive answer.

Are the exit rows required to be occupied ? Last year. on a pretty empty EI flight, I was asked if I'd move to the exit row as the incumbant didn't speak English. There were so many empty seats there was no need to shuffle people around; they could have just moved him & left the row empty.

Seems to make sense to have each exit "manned" for a quicker response in an emergency.

Thoughts ?