Kolkata

The Election Commission of India has strengthened preparations for vote counting in West Bengal by deploying 165 additional counting observers along with 77 police observers to ensure a secure and transparent process for the Assembly election results.

Election officials said extra counting observers have been assigned to constituencies where more than one counting hall has been set up, while police observers will supervise security arrangements around counting centres. However, the police observers have been specifically instructed not to enter the counting halls on counting day under any circumstances.

The commission said these observers have been appointed under the authority of Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and will operate directly under its supervision.

In a further tightening of security, the poll body has mandated that entry to counting centres will be allowed only through QR code-enabled photo identity cards generated through its ECINet system and issued by returning officers.

The commission has also prohibited mobile phones inside counting halls for everyone except the counting observer and the returning officer.

To enhance transparency, Form 17C-II, which records results from control units, will be prepared in the presence of counting agents and shared with them for verification and signatures. In addition, micro-observers will maintain independent records at each counting table for cross-checking.

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The Election Commission said both police and counting observers will work closely with election officials to ensure a smooth and credible counting process.