In a special sitting before the West Bengal Assembly election vote count, the Supreme Court supported the Election Commission of India’s choice of Central government and PSU employees as counting supervisors. The Court directed adherence to the ECI’s circular for state government nominees. The All India Trinamool Congress had challenged the ECI’s decision, but the Court dismissed the plea.
The Supreme Court, comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi, disposed of the case without further orders. The ECI’s circular will be strictly followed during the vote counting on May 4, ensuring the presence of the state government nominee. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued against the ECI’s decision to mainly deploy Central employees for counting supervision, citing constitutional provisions and the ECI’s circular.
Justice Bagchi noted that the ECI has the discretion to appoint either Central or State government officers for counting roles. The Court emphasized that compliance with the ECI’s framework is crucial. The Trinamool’s concerns regarding the deployment of Central personnel were addressed, ensuring a fair counting process with multiple officials and micro-observers present.
The Calcutta High Court had upheld the ECI’s authority in appointing counting supervisors from Central government employees. It stated that such appointments were not illegal and were within the ECI’s supervisory powers. The High Court dismissed concerns of bias, highlighting the presence of micro-observers and other officials for checks and balances. The Supreme Court reiterated the importance of following the ECI’s circular for a transparent counting process.
