SC pulls up TMC over central staff objection in Bengal counting case
The Supreme Court of India on Saturday questioned the All India Trinamool Congress’s objections to the use of central government staff in West Bengal vote counting, saying the party’s apprehensions were based on a flawed assumption.
Hearing the plea against the Election Commission of India (EC) directive, the bench observed that it cannot be presumed that central government employees would act with bias. “You must give government employees some credence,” the court said.
The remarks come days after the Calcutta High Court upheld the EC’s decision to appoint central government and PSU employees as counting supervisors and assistants.
Court backs EC’s discretion
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for TMC, argued that the EC’s move raised concerns over impartiality and pointed towards mistrust of state machinery. However, the bench rejected this reasoning, noting that the EC has the authority to choose personnel from central or state pools.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that even appointing staff entirely from central services would not violate rules, as regulations permit flexibility in selection.
The EC, represented by senior lawyer D.S. Naidu, told the court that state officials—including returning officers—would still play a key role in the counting process, alongside party agents.
No further intervention by court
The court ultimately disposed of the petition, stating that no additional orders were needed beyond ensuring that the EC’s April 13 circular is followed “in letter and spirit.”
Counting for the West Bengal Assembly elections is scheduled to begin on Monday.
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