On the eve of counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission (EC) on Sunday said that it has deployed 432 officials as counting observers for 293 of the total 294 constituencies. Polling in the Falta Assembly seat has been cancelled, with repolling scheduled for May 21.
The highest number of counting observers has been deployed in politically crucial districts of North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad, accounting for close to 90 Assembly constituencies.
In North 24 Parganas, which has 33 Assembly constituencies, a total of 49 counting observers have been deployed, including additional observers for several areas such as Bidhannagar and Rajarhat New Town, an EC official said.
In the South 24 Parganas district, where sensitive areas like Diamond Harbour and Bhangar fall, 45 counting observers have been deployed.
Murshidabad follows with 33 observers for its 22 constituencies, while districts like Howrah and Nadia each have been assigned 25 observers. Hooghly has been allocated 24 observers for 18 constituencies, and Bankura has 15 observers for 12 constituencies.
In a rare move, every single Assembly constituency in Uttar Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling has been assigned additional observers to ensure total transparency.
In Purba Bardhaman and Purba Medinipur districts, each with 16 constituencies, 26 counting observers have been deployed. “This ensures additional oversight for constituencies like Burdwan Uttar (SC), Katwa, Haldia (SC), and Tamluk,” the official said.
Both in Paschim Bardhaman and Uttar Dinajpur, 18 officers will be monitoring the counting process for nine Assembly constituencies in each of the two districts – one additional CO for every seat.
“By increasing the ratio of officers to constituencies, we are ensuring that every table is monitored and every concern is addressed in real-time,” an EC official said.
Prohibitory order in Kolkata till June
Meanwhile, to prevent any potential volatile situation arising out of the election results, Kolkata Police has invoked prohibitory orders across the central business district from Sunday itself. According to the Kolkata Police order, the prohibitory orders will be in place till the end of June. The directive strictly prohibits all rallies, processions, and demonstrations.