Counting centres: No phones allowed, but can agents carry pens? EC clarifies

Ahead of vote counting in West Bengal, confusion over what counting agents can carry inside counting centres has been cleared by the Election Commission of India, which said there is no restriction on carrying pens.

The clarification came after Kunal Ghosh, Trinamool Congress candidate from Beleghata, raised concerns on social media, claiming that central forces were not allowing agents to carry pens into counting centres.

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According to the Commission, while mobile phones and electronic devices remain strictly prohibited inside counting premises, candidates’ agents are allowed to carry essential stationery and documents required for maintaining records during counting.

EC lists permitted items for counting agents amid confusion

The Chief Electoral Officer’s office clarified that counting agents can carry pens, pencils, blank sheets, notebooks, duplicate copies of Form 17C, identity cards issued by the Returning Officer, and Form 18 (appointment letter).

The controversy began after Ghosh shared an image on social media showing a list of restricted items, which included mobile phones, electronic devices, bags, food packets, water bottles, cash bags, lighters, matchboxes, inflammable materials and weapons. The list also mentioned pens and sharp objects, raising questions among party workers. (The authenticity of the image has not been independently verified.)

Alleging a conspiracy, Ghosh questioned how agents would maintain booth-wise counting records if they were not allowed to carry pens. “This is an attempt to create confusion and manipulate counting,” he wrote.

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However, election authorities reiterated that there is no such restriction on basic stationery required for counting work.

Counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections will begin at 8 am on Monday. Results for 293 seats will be declared through the day.

In Kolkata, counting will be conducted across multiple centres. Netaji Indoor Stadium, adjacent to Khudiram Anushilan Kendra, will handle counting for several constituencies including Chowringhee, Entally, Beleghata, Jorasanko, Shyampukur, Maniktala and Kashipur-Belgachhia.

Other counting venues include Sakhawat Memorial School (Bhabanipur), St Thomas Boys’ School (Kolkata Port), Ballygunge Government High School (Rashbehari), Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University (Ballygunge), APC Roy Polytechnic (Jadavpur region seats), and Hastings House Complex (Alipore region constituencies).