Calcutta HC Kolkata: Calcutta HC Friday quashed the Election Commission’s move to requisition assistant professors of state colleges for the duty of presiding officers at polling stations in Bengal, pulling up the poll panel for not placing any material to show why their deployment was unavoidable. The order, however, will not apply to assistant professors who have already attained training and showed willingness to join. Justice Krishna Rao said despite being given repeated opportunities, the EC failed to produce any document to show the unavoidable circumstances on the basis of which it had taken the decision of appointing assistant professors as presiding officers. The EC counsel told the court there are 90,000 booths, and 1,80,000 to 1,90,000 presiding officers are needed to be kept ready. Assignment of duty was given on March 19, and the writ was filed on April 8, the counsel said. The petitioners’ counsel, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, argued that ECI’s circular dated Feb 16, 2010, categorically mentioned that Group A equivalent senior officers, including teaching staff of universities and colleges, should not be drafted for ‘polling duties’ without specific reasons to be recorded in writing by the DEO where such appointment becomes unavoidable.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels SpeculationStrait of Hormuz Open: What Iran’s Move Means for India Amid Ceasefire TensionsDelimitation Debate: Data Shows Hindi Belt’s Lok Sabha Share Fell More Than South Since 1951Amit Shah Targets Congress, Backs Women’s Quota And Delimitation PushHeated Exchange In Parliament As Rahul, Rijiju Spar Over Women’s Reservation BillUnmanned Fighters Set To Take The Lead In Aerial Combat, CATS Warrior To Lead Change For IndiaWomen’s Bill: Rahul Gandhi Accuses BJP Of Trying To Change Electoral Map, Takes ‘No Wife’ Jibe At PM123Photostories6 markets that define the soul of Himachal PradeshGoa’s 5 posh localities for luxury living and real estate investment in 2026Struggling to stay consistent? These 5 workout quotes for women can change how you see fitnessWeekend binge eating vs daily overeating: Which is more harmful to your liver?Top 7 South Mumbai’s high-end neighbourhoods shaping India’s luxury real estateSmriti Irani indulges in authentic Bengali sweets: 8 traditional sweets of Bengal you need to try during summer10 delicious banana desserts you can easily make in minutesRed Banana vs Yellow Banana: Which is healthier? Full nutrition comparison of taste, benefits, and daily useForget wheat flour and try these traditional dishes made with rice flourR. Madhavan on Parenting: 5 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingNashik TCSAmir HamzaAnti-Islam influencerStrait of HormuzSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event
Kolkata: Calcutta HC Friday quashed the Election Commission’s move to requisition assistant professors of state colleges for the duty of presiding officers at polling stations in Bengal, pulling up the poll panel for not placing any material to show why their deployment was unavoidable. The order, however, will not apply to assistant professors who have already attained training and showed willingness to join. Justice Krishna Rao said despite being given repeated opportunities, the EC failed to produce any document to show the unavoidable circumstances on the basis of which it had taken the decision of appointing assistant professors as presiding officers. The EC counsel told the court there are 90,000 booths, and 1,80,000 to 1,90,000 presiding officers are needed to be kept ready. Assignment of duty was given on March 19, and the writ was filed on April 8, the counsel said. The petitioners’ counsel, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, argued that ECI’s circular dated Feb 16, 2010, categorically mentioned that Group A equivalent senior officers, including teaching staff of universities and colleges, should not be drafted for ‘polling duties’ without specific reasons to be recorded in writing by the DEO where such appointment becomes unavoidable.
