Trinamool suffers setback; Supreme Court dismisses petition against vote counting rule

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court dismissed the Trinamool Congress's plea against the appointment of central government employees for the counting of votes in the West Bengal elections. The Supreme Court considered the plea in a special sitting today. The Trinamool approached the court challenging the Election Commission's decision to appoint only employees of the central government and public sector undertakings as counting supervisors and assistants for the counting of votes to be held on May 4.

Senior Advocate and Congress leader Kapil Sibal appeared for the Trinamool Congress.

Trinamool alleged that there is no such mandatory provision in the Election Commission's handbook and said that the provision was being implemented only in West Bengal. Trinamool also argued that deputing central government employees for counting votes would lead to biased decisions. However, the Calcutta court had clarified that the Election Commission has the power to appoint officials.

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition, pointing out that Trinamool Congress representatives would be present at the centres during the counting of votes. The court also clarified that the appointment of central government employees was not illegal.