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SC Forms Special Bench for TMC Plea on Bengal Vote-Counting Supervisors

The Supreme Court has constituted a special bench to hear the TMC's urgent plea against the Calcutta High Court order on vote-counting supervisors. The TMC challenged the deployment of only Central government and PSU employees as supervisors, arguing it could lead to political bias. The Calcutta High Court upheld the decision, stating it falls within the Election Commission's discretion. The EC also announced repolling in 15 polling stations in South 24 Parganas due to EVM tampering reports.

Key Points: SC Special Bench to Hear TMC Plea on Vote-Counting Supervisors

  • SC forms special bench for TMC plea
  • Calcutta HC upheld Central govt employees as supervisors
  • TMC cites urgency as counting begins Monday
  • EC announces repolling in 15 booths over EVM tampering
2 min read

SC constitutes special bench for TMC plea against Calcutta HC order on vote-counting supervisors

Supreme Court sets up special bench for TMC's urgent plea against Calcutta HC order on Central govt employees as vote-counting supervisors in West Bengal elections.

"No political party can decide who has to be included and who is not to be included. - Manoj Kumar Agarwal"

New Delhi, May 1

The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a special bench to hear the All India Trinamool Congress plea tomorrow against the Calcutta High Court's rejection of its plea that challenged the deployment of only Central government and PSU employees as supervisors for vote counting in the West Bengal assembly elections.

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi to hear the plea at 10:30 AM tomorrow.

TMC, in its plea, urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter urgently tomorrow, stating that vote counting in the poll-bound state is set to begin on Monday morning, and that any delay in hearing the plea would render it infructuous.

TMC approached the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court rejected their plea, upholding the validity of the decision requiring Central Govt/PSU employees to count as supervisors/assistants.

HC, in its observations, held that such appointments are within ECI's discretion and not illegal. The Court rejected apprehension that Central Govt. staff would act under political influence. Allegations were mere apprehensions without evidence.

Any grievance can be raised via an election petition (Section 100, RP Act, 1951), the court observed.

Welcoming the dismissal of the plea, West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal told ANI, "The writ petition has been dismissed. We have received a copy. No political party can decide who has to be included and who is not to be included. It is the discretion of the Returning Officer; he/she can include whoever he/she wants in counting or the entire election process.

Meanwhile EC has announced repolling in 15 polling stations in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

The repolling will be held on 11 booths of Magrahat Paschim Assembly constituency and 4 booths of Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency in South 24 Parganas on May 2, the EC said.

The repolling is being done after reports of tampering with EVMs at some polling booths emerged during the second phase of polling held on April 29.

The final phase of polling for the high-octane West Bengal assembly elections concluded at 6 PM, with voter turnout hitting remarkable numbers at 90% before the closing hour. The counting of voters will take place on May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

L
Lakshmi X
A special bench on a Saturday? That shows the Supreme Court is seriously concerned about the timing. But I don't understand why TMC is so opposed to central government employees supervising. They do this in every state. It's standard procedure yaar. What's the big fuss?
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Aditi M
I have a genuine concern though. In a high-stakes election like Bengal, any perception of bias damages democratic credibility. Instead of rushing into litigation, all parties should sit with ECI and agree on transparency mechanisms. The repoll in 15 booths is already worrying—EVM tampering allegations don't come from thin air.
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Michael C
As an observer from outside, I'll say this—India's election machinery is the envy of the world. But in Bengal, both sides are too aggressive. TMC needs to accept that central employees are neutral, and the opposition needs to stop crying wolf every time. Let the counting happen peacefully.
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Anjali F
Honestly, I'm tired of this back and forth. First EVM tampering allegations, then objections to supervisors. If Mamata Banerjee is so confident about winning, why all these legal hurdles? The HC rightly said that any grievance can be raised after elections through an election petition. Let the process complete!
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Ravi K
The 90% voter turnout is the real story here. Bengalis want change or continuity—either way they showed up. I just hope the Supreme Court bench delivers clarity quickly so counting on May 4 isn't delayed. Time is money and democracy doesn't need more drama. 🙏

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