New Delhi, May 2: The Election Commission of India has announced the deployment of additional counting supervisors and police observers in West Bengal. This move aims to enhance security arrangements around counting centers and ensure law and order during the 2026 assembly elections. A total of 165 additional counting supervisors and 77 police observers will assist in the counting process.
The deployment is intended to ensure that the counting process is conducted in a safe, peaceful, and transparent environment. These appointments are made under the powers conferred to the Commission by Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. During this period, the observers will be considered on deputation to the Commission and will operate under its supervision and control.
Additional counting supervisors have been appointed to assist in the counting of votes in 165 assembly constituencies that have more than one counting hall. Police observers will monitor security and law enforcement around their designated counting centers, ensuring compliance with the Commission’s directives. However, police observers will not be allowed to enter the counting halls under any circumstances on counting day. They will work closely with the counting supervisors and other election officials.
Identification cards for counting officers (ROs), counting staff, candidates, and their representatives will be issued by the Returning Officer (RO) through a special module of ECI-NET. Access to counting centers will only be granted based on QR code-based photo IDs issued through ECI-NET. It has also been directed that no person, other than counting supervisors and the Returning Officer, is allowed to carry mobile phones into the counting hall.
The counting results will be prepared on Form 17C-two, based on data received from the control unit, in the presence of counting agents. This process can be repeated if counting agents wish to do so. Each micro-observer stationed at the tables will independently note the results from the control unit display at the end of each round and submit them to the counting supervisor for verification.
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