The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a petition by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) challenging the Calcutta High Court’s dismissal of its plea against the Election Commission of India’s decision on appointing Central government and Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees as counting supervisors and assistants for the West Bengal Assembly elections. The TMC’s legal team has sought the constitution of a Special bench for an urgent listing of the matter.
Following the rejection of TMC’s writ petition by the Calcutta High Court, the ruling party from West Bengal has approached the Chief Justice of India for the matter’s expedited consideration. The High Court upheld the ECI’s authority to appoint counting personnel from Central government and PSU establishments, emphasizing transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
The Calcutta High Court ruled that the appointment of counting supervisors and assistants from Central government/Central PSU employees was legitimate under the ECI’s prerogative. It dismissed concerns raised by the Trinamool Congress regarding potential bias, highlighting the presence of micro-observers and other officials to ensure fair counting procedures.
Addressing the TMC’s apprehensions, the High Court mentioned that any alleged irregularities during the counting process could be challenged through an election petition post result declaration. The judgment emphasized that if Central government/Central PSU employees were found to manipulate votes, the petitioner could raise such issues in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
