Panel Draws Fire For Failure To Present Notification On Poll Officers Kolkata: Calcutta HC judge, Justice Krishna Rao, on Thursday slammed the Election Commission for not producing notifications indicating if assistant professors could be appointed as presiding polling officers in assembly elections. “You (EC) can appoint judges also under Section 26 (of the Representation of People Act) as polling officers… I am ready to go,” he said, giving the poll panel another opportunity to get the facts supporting its action.A group of assistant professors challenged EC’s order directing them to join as presiding officers for the Bengal elections. They argued EC, in a previous order, had said, “Group A-equivalent senior officers, including teaching staff of universities and colleges, should not be drafted for polling duties on polling station premises without specific reasons to be recorded in writing by the DEO…”Section 26 states a DEO can appoint a presiding officer for each polling station as necessary but will not appoint anyone employed by or is working for a candidate. Justice Rao, after hearing EC counsel’s arguments, said, “We can also go to the polling office… It is not a joke, every time you are changing your notification.”Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the assistant professors, said their main demand was not to be assigned the duty of a presiding officer. “There is a pool of officers; let them be assigned. Let teachers not be humiliated like this.”Highlighting the requisition was for March 19 and that the professors had come to court too late, EC counsel said, “At this stage, interfering with the entire procedure will halt the election.” To this, Justice Rao said even if it was the day before, the petition had to be decided by law. “Show me the notification by which they have been requisitioned.”When EC’s counsel pointed to an SC order appointing judicial officers for SIR, Justice Rao said, “Okay, so I am referring the matter to the SC. The order of SC is being used by EC like this.”The case will be heard again on Friday.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Never Be Forgiven’: PM Modi Dares Opposition On Women Quota Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Questions Timing‘Won’t Reduce South’s Share’: Amit Shah Clarifies On Delimitation, Calls Oppn Claims ‘Misleading’Hal’s Light Utility Helicopter Explained: Specs, Altitude Edge And Why It Matters‘PM Modi Only Flag Bearer Of Feminism’: Kangana Ranaut Targets Congress Over Women Quota Bill In Lok SabhaPM Modi, French President Macron Stress Urgent Need To Restore Hormuz Safety During Phone Call’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks123PhotostoriesExclusive – Kiku Sharda opens up about his kids’ reaction to his female roles, Sunil Grover’s talent, and his bond with Kapil Sharma5 Japanese food rituals that could fix your eating habits instantly5 Signs of high emotional intelligence that instantly set you apart from others5 things couples do before calling it quitsWhy your heirloom Kanjeevaram saree feels so different from a modern silk shirt8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living123Hot PicksIran warDisney layoffsPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikPune Harassment NewsVaranasi Woman DeathLucknow Vikas Nagar Fire IncidentAmir HamzaUP Beggar MurderBengaluru Businessman NewsGurgaon Student SuicideGunika KhuranaJaisalmer Murder
Kolkata: Calcutta HC judge, Justice Krishna Rao, on Thursday slammed the Election Commission for not producing notifications indicating if assistant professors could be appointed as presiding polling officers in assembly elections. “You (EC) can appoint judges also under Section 26 (of the Representation of People Act) as polling officers… I am ready to go,” he said, giving the poll panel another opportunity to get the facts supporting its action.A group of assistant professors challenged EC’s order directing them to join as presiding officers for the Bengal elections. They argued EC, in a previous order, had said, “Group A-equivalent senior officers, including teaching staff of universities and colleges, should not be drafted for polling duties on polling station premises without specific reasons to be recorded in writing by the DEO…”Section 26 states a DEO can appoint a presiding officer for each polling station as necessary but will not appoint anyone employed by or is working for a candidate. Justice Rao, after hearing EC counsel’s arguments, said, “We can also go to the polling office… It is not a joke, every time you are changing your notification.”Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, representing the assistant professors, said their main demand was not to be assigned the duty of a presiding officer. “There is a pool of officers; let them be assigned. Let teachers not be humiliated like this.”Highlighting the requisition was for March 19 and that the professors had come to court too late, EC counsel said, “At this stage, interfering with the entire procedure will halt the election.” To this, Justice Rao said even if it was the day before, the petition had to be decided by law. “Show me the notification by which they have been requisitioned.”When EC’s counsel pointed to an SC order appointing judicial officers for SIR, Justice Rao said, “Okay, so I am referring the matter to the SC. The order of SC is being used by EC like this.”The case will be heard again on Friday.
