New Delhi, 02 May (H.S.): The Election Commission has deployed 165 additional counting observers and 77 police observers to bolster security around vote counting centers and monitor law and order during the West Bengal Assembly election counting process. The Commission stated that these deployments aim to ensure the counting unfolds in a secure, peaceful, fear-free, and transparent environment.

According to the Election Commission, these appointments have been made pursuant to the powers vested in the Election Commission of India (ECI) under Article 324 of the Constitution of India and Section 20B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

During this period, the observers shall be deemed deputed by the Commission and shall function under its supervision and control. The additional counting observers are appointed to assist the counting observers in those 165 assembly constituencies that feature multiple counting halls.

Police observers will oversee security and law and order arrangements in the vicinity of their designated counting centers, ensuring compliance with the Commission's directives.

However, on the day of counting, police observers shall not enter the counting halls under any circumstances. They will work in close coordination with the counting observers and other election machinery deployed for the process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar