The Calcutta High Court has reportedly dismissed a plea filed by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging the deployment of Central government employees as counting supervisors in the West Bengal Assembly elections, per Hindustan Times.
Court rejects TMC's concerns
The petition reportedly questioned the Chief Electoral Officer's decision to appoint only Central government employees as counting supervisors. TMC had argued that such personnel could be influenced by the BJP, which is in power at the Centre, Bar and Bench reported.
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However, Justice Krishna Rao rejected these claims, noting that multiple stakeholders would be present during the counting process. The court observed that "micro observers, counting agents of the candidates who are contesting the election and counting personnel will also be in the counting room", making it "impossible" to accept the petitioner's allegations.
No illegality in EC's decision
The High Court also made it clear that it found no procedural fault in the Election Commission's decision. It stated that there was no 'illegality' in appointing counting supervisors and assistants from the Central government.
The order addressed concerns around transparency by pointing out that the counting process involves several layers of oversight, not just the supervisors.
Liberty to file election petition
While dismissing the plea, the court left the door open for further legal recourse. It said TMC could move an election petition if there is evidence of wrongdoing during the counting process.
"The petitioner has the liberty to take all the points in the election petition," the Bench said.
The issue stems from an earlier directive which stated that "at least one among the counting supervisor and counting assistant at each counting table shall be a Central Government/Central PSU employee".
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TMC had challenged this order, arguing that the electoral officer did not have the jurisdiction to issue such a directive. In response, the opposing side maintained that all appointments were made following due procedure.
The ruling comes shortly after polling concluded in West Bengal, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
