SC Rejects TMC Plea On Counting Staff
The Supreme Court has declined to issue any further order on the Trinamool Congress plea challenging the Election Commission’s decision on the deployment of counting personnel for the West Bengal Assembly election. The order clears the way for the existing counting arrangement to continue.
Supreme Court Rejects TMC Plea
A special bench of the Supreme Court said no further directions were necessary after the Election Commission assured the court that its circular on counting staff would be implemented in letter and spirit.
The TMC had challenged the Calcutta High Court order that refused to interfere with the Election Commission’s decision on the deployment of central government and central PSU employees for counting duty.
Election Commission Counting Staff Rule
The Election Commission told the court that its circular provides for a mix of central and state government employees in the counting process. It said the apprehension raised by the TMC was misplaced and that the counting process would follow the prescribed rules.
The court also observed that the Election Commission has the authority to decide the selection of counting personnel and that the circular could not be termed incorrect.
West Bengal Vote Counting On May 4
The matter was heard urgently because vote counting for the West Bengal Assembly election is scheduled to begin on May 4. The TMC had raised concerns over the exclusion or limited role of state government staff in counting supervision.
With the Supreme Court declining to intervene, the Election Commission’s counting arrangement will remain in force. The final results will now depend on the official counting process across the state’s constituencies.
