Calcutta High Court Directs ECI To Ensure Vote Counting Staff Is Strictly Appointed According To Guidelines Prescribed By WB's Chief Electoral Officer

The Calcutta High Court has directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that counting staff for Lok Sabha polls 2024 are appointed according to the guidelines prescribed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal.Votes cast in the Lok Sabha polls are slated to be counted across the country on Tuesday, 4th June 2024, from 8 am onwards.A plea was moved by Rathin Chakraborty, BJP's candidate from the Howrah constituency, who sought direction on the ECI not to engage contractual, casual, Anganwadi workers, para teachers and civic volunteers for the counting of votes in Lok Sabha elections 2024.Justice Amrita Sinha directed the ECI to ensure that the counting staff was appointed strictly according to guidelines prescribed by the CEO of West Bengal.Counsel for the Election Commission of India filed a report and submitted that steps had been taken to engage counting officials strictly as per the guidelines laid down by the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal and as per the order of the Election Commission of India. It was mentioned that apart from the persons indicated in the guidelines of the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, a supporting team may be engaged to perform works like 1) Computer Compilation 2) ENCORE Compilation 3) Photocopies Staff 4) Statutory Paper Sealing Staff 5) Staff for providing refreshment 6) Providing essential services etc. Counsel argued that all the persons who will be deployed for the supporting work to be done will be issued ID Card specifically mentioning their assigned duty on the date of counting and they will not have direct access to the counting table. A list was placed before the Court by the advocate representing the Election Commission of India signed by the District Magistrate and the District Election Officer, Howrah, containing the names of the respective 3 Assistant Returning Officers for DC/RC counters. Clause 15.7.8 of the Handbook relied upon by the petitioner clearly mentions that the staff of the local bodies should not be appointed for counting of votes and the returning officer should not appoint any person as counting staff who has been employed on or on behalf of or has been working for a candidate in an election, the Court said.Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Cal) 138Case: Dr. Rathin Chakraborty Vs. The Election Commission of India and OrsCase No: WPA 15200 of 2024Click here to read order

Calcutta High Court Directs ECI To Ensure Vote Counting Staff Is Strictly Appointed According To Guidelines Prescribed By WB's Chief Electoral Officer

Srinjoy Das