The Election Commission of India has deployed a large number of additional observers in West Bengal to ensure free, fair, and transparent counting of votes for the ongoing Assembly elections on Monday, May 4. According to an official press note issued on Saturday, the Commission has appointed 165 Additional Counting Observers to assist the existing Counting Observers, along with 77 Police Observers to oversee security and maintain law and order around counting centres across the state.
The move comes as part of efforts to ensure that the counting process is conducted in a “secure, peaceful, intimidation-free and transparent environment.” The ECI said the Additional Counting Observers have been specifically deployed in 165 Assembly constituencies where more than one counting hall has been set up, requiring closer supervision.
Meanwhile, Police Observers will monitor security arrangements outside counting centres and ensure compliance with the Commission’s guidelines, though they will not be allowed to enter counting halls under any circumstances on the day of counting. The appointments have been made under the powers vested in the Commission by Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
During their tenure, all observers will function under the superintendence and control of the Commission and will be deemed to be on deputation to it. Highlighting measures to maintain strict access control, the Commission said entry into counting centres will be allowed only through QR code-based photo identity cards issued by Returning Officers via the ECINet system.
It also reiterated that no one except the Counting Observer and the Returning Officer will be permitted to carry mobile phones inside counting halls. The ECI further outlined procedures aimed at ensuring transparency in counting. Form 17C-II, which records results from electronic voting machines, will be prepared by Counting Supervisors in the presence of counting agents and shared with them for signatures, with the process repeatable if requested.
Additionally, micro-observers stationed at each counting table will independently record results from control units and submit them to Counting Observers after each round for cross-verification. The deployment of additional personnel and the tightening of protocols come amid heightened political contestation in West Bengal, where ensuring credibility and public confidence in the counting process remains a key priority for the Commission.<>
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