Today, On 3rd June, The Calcutta High Court instructed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to appoint counting staff for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in strict accordance with established guidelines. This directive aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the election process.
Calcutta: The Calcutta High Court directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal in appointing the personnel responsible for counting the votes in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This directive comes in response to a petition filed by Rathin Chakraborty, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the Howrah constituency, who sought a directive to the ECI to refrain from engaging contractual, casual, Anganwadi workers, para-teachers, and civic volunteers as part of the counting staff.
The votes for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be counted across the country on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the democratic process. The Calcutta High Court‘s intervention highlights the importance of ensuring a fair and transparent counting process, in line with the guidelines set by the electoral authorities.
The bench of Justice Amrita Sinha, while hearing a vacation matter, directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that the counting staff is appointed strictly in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal.
The advocate representing the ECI subsequently filed a report before the court, submitting that the necessary steps have been taken to engage the counting officials strictly as per the guidelines laid down by the CEO and in line with the order issued by the ECI.
The Election Commission has also been directed to submit a detailed report on the steps it has taken to comply with this order.
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This report expected to include information on the selection process for counting staff, the training programs implemented, and measures taken to address any potential conflicts of interest.
The Election Commission’s response to this directive will be closely monitored, as it sets a precedent for the administration of elections in the country. Ensuring that counting staff are appointed as per guidelines is not just a procedural requirement but a cornerstone of democratic integrity, reflecting the commitment to free and fair elections.