Calcutta HC Dismisses TMC Petition on WB Counting Staff

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by the Trinamool Congress challenging the Election Commission of India's directive to appoint central government and public sector undertaking employees as counting supervisors and assistants for the West Bengal assembly elections.

A single-judge bench led by Justice Krishna Rao rejected the plea in its entirety, ruling that such appointments fall within the Election Commission's discretion and are not illegal. The court observed that Clause 15.7.9 of the Handbook for Returning Officers permits the selection of counting staff from either central or state government officials, or comparable undertakings. It emphasized that the handbook does not restrict these roles exclusively to state employees.

The petition contested a communication from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal, which required at least one central government or PSU employee at each counting table to ensure transparency, integrity, and orderly proceedings. The Trinamool Congress argued that the directive exceeded the officer's jurisdiction under the Representation of the People Act, deviated from established practices, and risked bias...