NEW DELHI: The Election Commission deployed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers in West Bengal on Saturday as part of its monitoring network for the counting of votes for assembly elections, scheduled for Monday. The move, the commission said, is intended to ensure that the counting process is conducted in a “secure, peaceful, intimidation-free and transparent” manner.
The additional counting observers will assist the 294 such observers already deployed per constituency in 165 Assembly constituencies having more than one counting hall.
The appointments have been made under Article 324 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, with all observers functioning under the EC’s direct supervision.
The heightened vigil came amid escalating political tensions in the state, particularly following allegations made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. She has repeatedly expressed concerns over possible tempering in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and urged her party workers to maintain continuous surveillance of strong rooms where the EVMs are stored. Banerjee also visited a strong room facility in Kolkata, intensifying the political atmosphere.
The Trinamool Congress has alleged lapses in strong room security, including claims of CCTV malfunctions and unauthorised access. But, the BJP has rejected these allegations, resulting in a sharp exchange of words between rival camps.
According to the poll body, additional counting observers have been assigned to constituencies with multiple counting halls to assist in overseeing operations. Police observers will supervise security arrangements around counting centres and ensure compliance with established protocols, although they will not be allowed inside counting halls.
The EC has also introduced stricter access controls. Only individuals with QR code-based photo identity cards generated through ECINet will be permitted entry. Mobile phone usage inside counting halls will be restricted to the counting observer and the returning officer.