US EditionEC Circular Not Contrary to Rules: Big SC Setback for TMC Before Bengal Results
The court said the April 13 circular will be implemented as written and declined to block central employees at West Bengal counting tables.
- On Saturday, the Supreme Court of India closed a plea filed by the All India Trinamool Congress challenging the appointment of Central government employees for West Bengal Assembly elections vote counting.
- The TMC had challenged an April 30 mandate from the Additional Chief Electoral Officer requiring Central government or PSU employees at counting tables, arguing the decision was discriminatory and lacked jurisdiction.
- Election Commission counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu called bias concerns "completely misplaced," while the High Court noted that CCTV surveillance and micro-observers ensure transparency during counting.
- The Supreme Court declined to interfere with the High Court order, observing that current rules allow flexibility in appointing either Central or state government officials as counting supervisors and assistants.
- Counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections begins May 4, though the court clarified that the TMC retains liberty to file an election petition if malpractice occurs during the process.
26 Articles
26 Articles
West Bengal Elections 2026: “We cannot fault EC’s Choice,” says SC as it rejects TMC’s bias claim on counting staff
New Delhi: The Supreme Court refused to entertain the Trinamool Congress’ challenge to the Election Commission’s decision to deploy Central government and PSU employees in the vote counting process for the West Bengal Assembly elections, reinforcing the Commission’s authority to design safeguards for a neutral count. Court finds no illegality in EC’s framework A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi made it clear that the Election C…
SC closes TMC plea challenging appointment of central govt employees as counting officers in Bengal polls
India's Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission's circular on using Central government employees in vote counting, dismissing a TMC plea and.Supreme Court India, West Bengal Elections, TMC petition, election counting, Central government employees, EC circular, election transparency, Assembly elections, vote counting, political bias concerns, Calcutta High Court, election supervisors, PSU employees, state election fairness, election process …
EC circular not incorrect: SC setback for Mamata Banerjee before Bengal results
The TMC had moved the apex court on Friday seeking the appointment of state government nominees as counting supervisors, alleging this was being denied. The party argued that central government employees could be influenced by the ruling party at the Centre, affecting the level playing field during counting of votes.
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