ECI Deploys Extra Observers for Bengal Vote Counting

The Election Commission of India has deployed hundreds of additional observers across West Bengal's 294 assembly constituencies to oversee vote counting starting Monday for the state elections held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

In a statement, the commission announced the appointment of 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers, supplementing the 294 officials already assigned one per constituency. These measures target areas with multiple counting halls and sensitive districts, including North 24 Parganas with 49 observers for 33 seats and South 24 Parganas with 45 for 31 seats. Districts such as Murshidabad, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Uttar Dinajpur received extra personnel. Police observers will manage security outside counting centers without entering the halls, ensuring a secure and intimidation-free environment, the commission said. All observers report directly under the commission's authority per Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The heightened oversight follows repolling ordered in 15 booths in South 24 Parganas due to voting irregularities. Strict protocols include QR code-based photo ID entry for...