The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has approached the Supreme Court challenging a decision related to the staffing of counting centres for the upcoming May 4 vote count in West Bengal. The party has requested an expedited hearing, and a special bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi is scheduled to take up the matter on Saturday.

The dispute centres on a recent communication issued by the office of the Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal. The directive stated that at least one official at each counting table — either the supervisor or assistant — must be drawn from central government departments or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

The TMC has argued that such a stipulation exceeds the authority of the Additional CEO and should have been issued, if at all, only by the Election Commission of India. The party has also contended that the Election Commission’s official handbook does not prescribe the compulsory deployment of central government personnel for counting supervisor or assistant roles. While micro-observers are typically sourced from central services, the TMC claims extending this requirement to counting staff is unprecedented and selectively applied in West Bengal.

In its petition, the party raised concerns about neutrality, suggesting that central government employees could be perceived as lacking independence because the Union government is run by a political party that is also contesting the elections in the state.

Earlier, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the plea, observing that existing rules allow counting personnel to be appointed from either state or central government services. The High Court held that decisions regarding deployment of officials fall within the discretion of election authorities. It also pointed to safeguards such as micro-observers, candidate-appointed counting agents, and CCTV monitoring to ensure transparency during the counting process. The court concluded that mere apprehension of bias was insufficient grounds for interference.

The High Court additionally noted that although a related special leave petition had previously been dismissed by the Supreme Court, the broader legal issue had not been conclusively settled.

The legal challenge comes against the backdrop of heightened political friction during the second phase of polling in West Bengal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that officers from outside the state and central forces were being deployed in a manner that disadvantaged TMC workers. Clashes between supporters of the TMC and the BJP were reported in several constituencies, further intensifying tensions.

Controversy also surrounded the presence of senior police officer Ajay Pal Sharma, whose firm warnings against obstructing polling drew criticism from the TMC. The BJP, however, defended the security arrangements as necessary to maintain order.

Meanwhile, senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee accused central forces of pushing an elderly voter during polling in Howrah, leading to his death — a claim that has added to the charged atmosphere. The Election Commission has yet to issue a response on the allegation.