The Calcutta High Court overturned a previous ruling that had annulled the Election Commission of India’s selection of college teachers as presiding officers for the upcoming two-phase Assembly polls in West Bengal. The court specified that college teachers who had received the necessary training would serve as presiding officers this time. Additionally, the court granted the Election Commission the authority to assign college teachers to other electoral roles based on their service grades and pay scales.
The Election Commission challenged the single-judge bench’s decision on April 20 and presented its case to a division bench comprising Justice Shampa Sarkar and Justice Ajay Kumar Gupta. Following a thorough hearing, the division bench nullified the prior ruling, allowing the Election Commission to appoint college teachers as Presiding Officers. The bench acknowledged the Election Commission’s argument that college teachers had previously served as presiding officers in past elections without challenge.
Addressing concerns raised by some college teachers, the division bench emphasized the need for uniformity, noting that while some teachers opposed the decision, others had already complied with the Commission’s directives. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent standards for all college teachers involved in electoral duties. The West Bengal Assembly elections are scheduled for April 23 and April 29, with vote counting set for May 4, alongside elections in Kerala, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.
