Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday approached the Supreme Court (SC) of India seeking an urgent hearing against the Election Commission’s decision to deploy only central government personnel as counting supervisors in the West Bengal Assembly elections.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant agreed to list the matter urgently, with the hearing expected on Saturday. The move comes just two days before the results are scheduled to be declared.
High Court dismisses TMC plea
Earlier, the Calcutta High Court had rejected the party’s petition challenging the Election Commission’s directive. Justice Krishna Rao ruled that there was no illegality in appointing counting supervisors and assistants from central government departments or public sector undertakings.
“It is the prerogative of the office of the EC to appoint the counting supervisor and counting assistant either from the state government or the central government," the court observed.
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The petition had questioned an April 30 communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, which stated that at least one official at each counting table must be from the central government or a PSU.
Concerns over neutrality raised
Appearing for the TMC, counsel Kalyan Banerjee argued that the directive lacked jurisdiction and was issued based on apprehensions rather than concrete grounds. The party also flagged concerns that central government employees could be influenced by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is in power at the Centre.
The High Court, however, did not accept this argument. It noted that the counting process involves multiple stakeholders, reducing the possibility of bias.
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“Only the counting supervisor and the counting assistants will not be in the counting room. Micro observers, counting agents of the candidates who are contesting the election and counting personnel will also be in the counting room. Thus, it is impossible to believe the allegation made by the petitioner," the court stated.
EC defends decision
Counsel for the Election Commission of India maintained that the appointments followed established procedures. It was also argued that no single political party could challenge the Commission’s administrative decisions, and that involving central staff was aimed at avoiding allegations of partiality.
