TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee NEW DELHI: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday moved Supreme Court against the Calcutta high court’s order rejecting the plea challenging deployment of only central government’s staff at couting centers on May 4.The Mamata Banerjee’s party had challenged the poll duty assigned to central government and PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) employees as supervisors in the vote counting.The high court told the TMC that appointing central or state officers as counting supervisors is the Election Commission’s prerogative. It said that if central officers are found to have manipulated counting and favoured the BJP, the party can file an election petition. Earlier, the court had asked why only central officers were being appointed, to which the EC replied that the same practice was followed in Kerala.Justice Krishna Rao, hearing the case, asked EC, “If there is an objection, can the Election Commission not adjudicate? Why are you not going for the state govt?” The HC also pointed out that the statute allows the ECI to appoint employees from either the state govt or central govt and employees of PSUs for the role.EC counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu replied, “We have done that in Kerala. We have not singled out any state. As the situation demands, we do that.”Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the petitioner, questioned, “Do you disbelieve these state govt employees? You have conducted the entire election with state govt staff. Why are you adopting a discriminatory approach towards West Bengal? In all, 2,500 companies have been brought here. If even one company had been in Pahalgam, those 26 people would not have been killed.”Justice Rao in his order said, “Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act provides that any noncompliance with the provisions of the Constitution of this Act or of any rules or orders made under this Act shall be grounds for declaring election to be void and thus, if the petitioner finds that during the counting, the central govt employees who have been appointed as counting supervisor and counting assistants favoured the candi-date of the BJP due to which the candidate of the petitioner defeated, the petitioner has the liberty to challenge the same in an election petition.”The high court also said while dismissing the petition, “It is the prerogative of the office of the Election Commission of India to appoint the counting supervisor and counting assistant either from the state govt or the central govt. This court does not find any illegality for appointing counting supervisor and counting assistant from the central govt / central PSU employee instead of state govt employee.”The high court also said, “Only the counting supervisor and the counting assistants will not be in the counting room. Micro observers, counting agents of the candidates who are contesting the election and counting personnel will also be in the counting room. Thus, it is impossible to believe the allegation made by the petitioner.” About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosRahul Gandhi Flags Fuel Price Surge After ₹993 LPG Hike, Warns Petrol-Diesel Could Be NextPunjab Assembly Chaos | CM Bhagwant Mann Allegedly ‘Intoxicated’, Opposition Demands Alcohol TestPakistan admits fuel vulnerability amid global oil shock; compares energy security with IndiaCommercial LPG Surges Past ₹3000, Hotels Warn Of Price Hike Impact | WatchTrust Vote Drama In Punjab: BJP Boycott, Congress Walkout Rocks HouseIndia-Bangladesh Row: Dhaka Summons Indian Envoy Over Assam CM Himanta’s RemarksJabalpur Cruise Boat Capsize: 9 Dead as Rescue Operations Continue at Bargi Dam in Madhya PradeshChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink Ships123PhotostoriesHow Raghav Chadha’s mango shake differs from a regular mango shake; details insideRaw mango vs ripe mango: Which is a safer, smarter choice for people living with diabetes?From Daffodils to Castor beans: 5 Plants that can be deadly for your pet dog5 situations where staying silent is powerfulSons vs daughters: 5 ways parents treat them differently without realising and the impact it leavesDo Mangoes cause body heat? 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NEW DELHI: The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday moved Supreme Court against the Calcutta high court’s order rejecting the plea challenging deployment of only central government’s staff at couting centers on May 4.The Mamata Banerjee’s party had challenged the poll duty assigned to central government and PSU (Public Sector Undertaking) employees as supervisors in the vote counting.The high court told the TMC that appointing central or state officers as counting supervisors is the Election Commission’s prerogative. It said that if central officers are found to have manipulated counting and favoured the BJP, the party can file an election petition. Earlier, the court had asked why only central officers were being appointed, to which the EC replied that the same practice was followed in Kerala.Justice Krishna Rao, hearing the case, asked EC, “If there is an objection, can the Election Commission not adjudicate? Why are you not going for the state govt?” The HC also pointed out that the statute allows the ECI to appoint employees from either the state govt or central govt and employees of PSUs for the role.EC counsel Dama Seshadri Naidu replied, “We have done that in Kerala. We have not singled out any state. As the situation demands, we do that.”Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the petitioner, questioned, “Do you disbelieve these state govt employees? You have conducted the entire election with state govt staff. Why are you adopting a discriminatory approach towards West Bengal? In all, 2,500 companies have been brought here. If even one company had been in Pahalgam, those 26 people would not have been killed.”Justice Rao in his order said, “Section 100 of the Representation of the People Act provides that any noncompliance with the provisions of the Constitution of this Act or of any rules or orders made under this Act shall be grounds for declaring election to be void and thus, if the petitioner finds that during the counting, the central govt employees who have been appointed as counting supervisor and counting assistants favoured the candi-date of the BJP due to which the candidate of the petitioner defeated, the petitioner has the liberty to challenge the same in an election petition.”The high court also said while dismissing the petition, “It is the prerogative of the office of the Election Commission of India to appoint the counting supervisor and counting assistant either from the state govt or the central govt. This court does not find any illegality for appointing counting supervisor and counting assistant from the central govt / central PSU employee instead of state govt employee.”The high court also said, “Only the counting supervisor and the counting assistants will not be in the counting room. Micro observers, counting agents of the candidates who are contesting the election and counting personnel will also be in the counting room. Thus, it is impossible to believe the allegation made by the petitioner.”
